Borate cellulose insulation is a loose, blown-in insulation product that has the ability to seal cracks and effectively fill tight spaces within a home or building. This makes the installation process that much simpler, along with reducing air infiltration in any application or construction type.

What does borate in insulation do?

Because borates absorb infrared radiation, their incorporation into building products such as glass wool, and other insulation products help prevent heat loss through infrared transmission.

Is Borax in cellulose insulation?

“Cellulose insulation is made from recycled newspaper. It contains borax, boric acid and aluminum sulfate. Because cellulose is an organic material, it decomposes as it ages.

Is borate in insulation toxic?

Medical authorities also warn that borates and boric acid may cause toxic poisoning in humans if absorbed through a cut or scrape.

Is cellulose insulation toxic?

In addition to its lack of toxic chemicals or particles, cellulose insulation is considered eco-friendly because: It can boast a much cleaner and pollution-free production process when compared with other alternatives.

Does cellulose insulation mold?

To make matters worse, although cellulose insulation is mold-resistant, the same cannot be said of the wood that it rests against. Water-soaked insulation sits up against wood walls and can create an area that is susceptible to mold growth.

Is cellulose borate safe?

As I mentioned in the video, cellulose insulation containing borate is a great way to safely deal with pests provided your ductwork isn’t leaking. Borate is often added to insulation as a way to deal with pests, because borate can be toxic when ingested in adequate amounts.

Should I remove old cellulose insulation?

Your insulation needs to be removed along with the droppings, as it’ll carry some of its toxicity if left in your attic. Removing old insulation and replacing it with new ones will not only rid your home from any rodent infestation and mold, but also improve its energy efficiency and overall air quality.

Is borate a metal?

A number of metal borates are known. They are produced by treating boric acid or boron oxides with metal oxides.

Which insulation is best for attic?

Many people consider fiberglass batt to be the best attic insulation. It consists of plastic reinforced by small glass fibers. The batt version comes in blanket form — i.e., small, pre-cut sections that you can lay down wherever you need to.

Article first time published on

What is stabilized cellulose insulation?

Stabilized cellulose insulation is an insulation product that is typically applied in wall cavities, due to its ability to bind together within the wall, and it is usually found in residential construction. Although it can be utilized in commercial applications in any climate in the U.S. as needed, as well.

How long does cellulose insulation last?

Because it is made primarily of recycled materials, however, cellulose insulation does degrade over time. The typical lifespan is 20 to 30 years, with degradation beginning as early as 15 years after installation. As with other types of insulation, severe weather or outside interference can reduce the lifespan.

Is cellulose good insulation?

Cellulose insulation is safe. Although cellulose is made of paper, thorough mineral treatment provides it with permanent fire resistance. … In fact, many professionals consider cellulose to be more fire-safe than fiberglass.

Can breathing in cellulose insulation make you sick?

Inhaling these materials over an extended time can cause inflammation of the sinuses and may lead to more serious respiratory issues, including trouble breathing or asthma attacks. Insulation also contains chemicals that are potentially harmful if not installed correctly.

What is the healthiest type of insulation?

  • Cork. When it comes to healthy insulation, cork tops the list, at least according to a report done by Energy Efficiency For All. …
  • FIberglass. …
  • Cellulose. …
  • Recycled Cotton. …
  • Sheep’s Wool.

What are the side effects of cellulose?

  • bloating.
  • stomach upset.
  • gas.
  • constipation.
  • diarrhea.

Do mice like blown-in cellulose insulation?

The insulation has a low toxicity to mammals such as mice that filter out the poison through their livers, Ansley says. But because the cellulose insulation is loose and falls in on itself, rodents don’t like it and will often leave because they prefer areas where they can burrow in order to nest.

Is boric acid harmful to lungs?

Studies with workers breathing borax showed no long-term respiratory effects. However, long-term ingestion of boric acid has resulted in vomiting, nausea, diarrhea, and stomach pain. This is often followed by headaches, fever, tremors, twitching, a lack of energy, and weakness.

Is it OK to put cellulose insulation over fiberglass?

No. Even if you have moisture in your attic, once all bypasses are sealed (and/or your roof repaired by a qualified contractor, if necessary) cellulose is blown directly over the existing insulation. … Adding new cellulose insulation on top of existing fiberglass insulation is called “capping”.

Do you need a vapor barrier with cellulose insulation?

With Modern’s Cellulose insulation, a vapor barrier is not recommended except in very cold weather or high moisture areas such as spas or pool buildings. However, many building codes do require an Air barrier or Vapor retarder to be installed. … Cellulose insulation has a high density compared to fiberglass.

What color is cellulose insulation?

Cellulose insulation is extremely environmentally friendly, made of up to 85 percent recycled materials. It is generally gray or brown in color.

Does cellulose insulation settle in walls?

Cellulose insulation can settle by as much as 20 percent, depending on how it is installed. This could leave gaps in a wall as the insulation compacts vertically, or it could leave space between a floor and the insulation beneath it.

Where is borate used?

Detergents and Personal Care Products: Borates enhance stain removal and bleaching, stabilize enzymes, provide alkaline buffering, soften water and boost surfactant performance in detergents and cleaners. Their biostatic properties control bacteria and fungi in personal care products.

Where is borate found?

MINERALS | Borates Borates of marine origin have been found in commercial quantities only in Europe. These are magnesium borates associated with Permian salt deposits. They were produced in Germany, as a by-product of potash mining, and in the Inder region of Kazakhstan.

Is borate and borax the same?

Borax is a powdery white substance, also known as sodium borate, sodium tetraborate, or disodium tetraborate. It’s widely used as a household cleaner and a booster for laundry detergent. It’s a combination of boron, sodium, and oxygen. … Boric acid is made from the same chemical compound as borax and even looks like it.

Does cellulose insulation attract termites?

Cellulose insulation uses borate fire retardants, which are unattractive to insects. So the product would not attract termites or any other insect. In fact, there are even some cellulose insulation brands available that are certified pest control products.

How thick should the insulation be in an attic?

Insulation levels are specified by R-Value. R-Value is a measure of insulation’s ability to resist heat flow. The higher the R-Value, the better the thermal performance of the insulation. The recommended level for most attics is to insulate to R-38 or about 10 to 14 inches, depending on insulation type.

How often should you replace insulation in attic?

How often should attic insulation be changed? Even though attic insulation is said to last anywhere from 80 years to 100 years, it does lose effectiveness as its ages. Insulation experts recommend replacing after 15 years to assure it is doing the job you need it to.

How much does it cost to insulate a 1500 sq ft attic?

How much does it cost to insulate a 1,500 sq ft attic? With average costs ranging from around $1 per sq ft to $5 per sq ft (excluding structural insulation panels as these are best for new installations) expect to pay from $1,500 to $7,500 to insulate a 1,500 sq ft attic.

What type of insulation is best for ceilings?

Insulation Batts Batt insulation is a type of insulation blanket. These are pre-cut sections of insulation that are usually fiberglass, although cellulose, mineral wool, natural fibers and plastic versions are also available. Best for unfinished walls, floors and ceilings.

What is loose-fill fiberglass insulation?

Loose-fill insulation, also referred to as blown-in insulation, is a type of attic insulation that is made of loose fibers that are spread on the attic floor. … Fiberglass insulation is made from recycled fiberglass, similar to batt insulation. The installation process is simple and it only requires two installers.