Title: How Cellulose Insulation Is Applied Word Count: 618 Summary: Cellulose insulation is natural insulation material. It is made from recycled newspaper and other recycled paper products. The recycled content is at least 75% or more. The recycled paper is then treated with chemicals to make it fire resistant. Benefits of Cellulose Insulation Because the material is made from mostly recycled paper products, it is considered to be less dangerous than other types of insulating materials. Fiberglass and many other insulating materials a... Keywords: cellulose insulation, soundproofing, home improvement, soundproofing material, acoustical foam, floo Article Body: Cellulose insulation is natural insulation material. It is made from recycled newspaper and other recycled paper products. The recycled content is at least 75% or more. The recycled paper is then treated with chemicals to make it fire resistant. Benefits of Cellulose Insulation Because the material is made from mostly recycled paper products, it is considered to be less dangerous than other types of insulating materials. Fiberglass and many other insulating materials are considered to be carcinogenic. Cellulose is not a carcinogen. The chemicals used to make the material fire resistant are all non hazardous materials. The chemicals most commonly used are boric acid, ammonium sulphate and borax. All these chemicals are thought to be safe and are not known to cause health risks. In addition, they are thought to help prohibit the growth of mold or mildew and isn’t a hospitable environment for insects. Another benefit is in the energy needed to manufacture the material. Less fuel is required in the manufacturing process when compared to other materials. This is good for the environment and saves fuel. This is especially important with today’s high fuel prices. Cellulose was at one time quite a bit more expensive than fibreglass, but the cost is about equal now. Because the material is largely recycled paper and uses less energy, it is often used in “green homes.” Green homes are new homes that are designed to be environmentally friendly and energy efficient. Cellulose meets the requirements of this type of building. More new homes are currently being built with this type of material than at any other time. The material is energy efficient and allows less air to pass through it than does fibreglass. This makes it more effective for insulating than other materials. You will see a difference in your home heating bill. It is also more flame retardant than any other insulating material. This material is better as a sound insulation for reducing the nose level in your home. If you are interested in soundproofing qualities as well as keeping warm, this product is more effective than other materials. The coverage is more uniform and better at muffling sounds from outside the home or the next room, for example, kitchen noises being heard in the bedroom. 4 Types of Cellulose Insulation There are four ways this type of insulating material is applied: o Loose fill o Stabilized cellulose o Wall cavity spray o Commercial sprays In new and existing home insulation, it is most often blown into the wall cavity or the attic. In general, it is blown dry in the attic and damp in the walls. Because it is blown, it is relatively easy to install in existing homes. Small holes are made in the drywall of interior walls for the spray and are patched after installation. For insulating exterior walls, the material is generally applied outside the house by removing small pieces of siding or roofing materials. How Cellulose Insulation is Applied The material is mixed with a small amount of water and is then sprayed into the wall. This slight dampness helps the material conform to the space and give a complete seal. This helps seal small cracks and hard to reach spaces in the wall cavity. For this reason, it is very effective for blocking air from escaping through smaller cracks. Professional installation is recommended for this insulating material. To be most effective, it must be blown properly and evenly. In general, two people are needed for the process, one to fill the machine with dry fibers and to break up larger clumps and another to operate the hose. Masks should be worn to prevent any dust from being breathed in during the installation process.