Blown-in cellulose insulation outperforms fiberglass on thermal protection, sound control and fire resistance
The tightly built new home has become commonplace as builders strive to meet buyer demands for higher efficiency and lower fuel bills. "Zero tolerance" of air infiltration and exfiltration -- to minimize heat gain in summer and heat loss in winter -- is the goal. The Behind the Walls House takes a big step toward that objective with Cocoon blown-in cellulose insulation throughout the structure. Cocoon is made by U.S. GreenFiber, a joint venture of LP Corporation and Casella Systems.
Composed of 100%-recycled cellulose fibers, mainly newsprint, Cocoon has up to three times the density of fiberglass and therefore a proportionately higher R-value per square inch. "Just over 8 inches of Cocoon material delivers an R-value of 30," says GreenFiber marketing director Edie Kello Thomas. "You would need over 12 inches of loose-fill or blown to achieve the same rating."
In addition, unlike fiberglass, cellulose retains its R-value as the mercury dips. An Oak Ridge National Laboratory study found that while the R-values of cellulose held steady, leading brands of loose-fill fiberglass lost up to 50% of their R-values in cold temperatures.
Blown-in cellulose speeds the installation process even as it creates significant conservation benefits. Able to nestle more snugly around utility runs, framing materials and other irregularly shaped objects, the form-fitting cellulose fills the small gaps and voids that batt insulation cannot easily seal off. "An installer can blow our product into hard-to-reach spots, maintaining complete coverage and consistent thickness," Thomas says.
The Cocoon Wall Spray System uses minimal moisture, as well as a starch-based binder that helps the material set without settling. No supportive veneer is needed. Cocoon dries quickly, allowing drywall to be installed within 24 hours. The product adheres effortlessly to a variety of surfaces, including wood, metal, gypsum board and concrete sheathing.
|
Competitive Edge: Cocoon Insulation
 Energy-efficient: Up to three times more dense than blown or batt fiberglass, Cocoon provides superior R-value per inch.
Zero tolerance: Cocoon prevents air infiltration by filling gaps and cavities while surrounding utility lines with seamless protection.
Fire safety: A class 1 fire-rated building material approved for use in fire-rated assemblies.
Insect resistant: Boron-based fire retardants also resist household pests while protecting against mold and mildew.
Absorbs noise: Suppresses outside sounds more effectively than other insulation materials. |
Tested Effective
Cellulose’s superiority over fiberglass has been confirmed in one study after another. In 1990, for example, the University of Colorado at Denver compared the insulation properties of two identical homes, one using cellulose, the other, fiberglass batt. The cellulose residence was 38% tighter and required 26% less energy. Another side-by-side test, involving a senior citizens complex in Leominster, Mass., found that buildings protected with cellulose had 40% less air infiltration than similar structures fitted with R-13 fiberglass in the walls and R-38 fiberglass batts in the ceilings.
Beyond superior thermal protection, cellulose insulation offers a number of other attractive benefits:
Improves fire safety: Cocoon cellulose, an ASTM Class 1 fire-rated building material, resists flames longer than other types of insulation. A large-scale outdoor fire demonstration conducted at the Aberdeen Proving Grounds in June 1998 showed that a cellulose structure maintained its structural integrity in excess of 24 minutes longer than the fiberglass structure, translating to an increased fire resistance of 57%. The critical mode of failure was the measure of resistance provided by the wall assembly. Ask for ICBO Evaluation Report #ER-2833.
Fights mold and insects: The boron-based fire retardants in Cocoon are also natural fungicides that resist the development of mold, mildew and other fungi. Cocoon’s Pest Control Formula also repels termites, cockroaches, ants and silverfish.
Inhibits external noise: Where air travels, sound inevitably follows. But the density of blown-in cellulose and its ability to fill holes and gaps also makes it an effective acoustical insulator. “Cocoon is so effective at absorbing outside noise,” says Thomas, “it has been approved as an enhanced sound-control material for homes located in airport flight paths.”
Click Here to receive more information on Cocoon cellulose insulation.
Click Here for company's Web site or call 888/592-7684.
