Alternative Energy
Cellulose Insulation Makes Sense Earth Day & Every Day With fears of global warming and climate change fast approaching a tipping point, the intent of Earth Day has never been more relevant. Conceived in 1969 at a UNESCO conference held ... Read More →
We continue to see more great examples of energy efficient home projects that include cellulose insulation in their design. One of the best is a Home and Barn project from Vermont featured in a story on Poptimes News. The home ... Read More →
The concept of Net-Zero Energy homes appears to be moving forward toward main stream. California is leading the nation with a goal of having all new homes constructed by 2020 achieving net-zero under its Residential ZNE Plan. Builders and homeowners ... Read More →
The energy efficiency goal in the design of any home is ultimately passivity. Everyone would like to have a really comfortable home interior living environment with little or no cost for heating and cooling. But what defines a truly “passive ... Read More →
Cellulose Insulation Manufacturers Association President Chris Hoch was a featured speaker at the White House this month. The first-ever Weatherization Supply Chain event was held June 15 as a forum to discuss the Department of Energy’s Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP.) ... Read More →
It is certainly no secret that energy costs are rising for U.S. households and businesses. While the estimates vary, studies in the past few years have put the average energy cost for the typical household ranging from 10 to as ... Read More →
CIMA awarded the Extreme Insulation Retrofit to a Kentucky couple selected at random in April from the hundreds who visited the online sweepstakes. Now, CIMA is blowing the door out of the Extreme Insulation Retrofit winner’s house. Well, to clarify, ... Read More →
Building Insulation Fire
How To Handle Fires In Buildings With Cellulose Insulation Cellulose insulation is an easily misunderstood building material. It is made from paper fibers, so it is an organic material. Left untreated, organic materials are combustible. Some other common insulation materials ... Read More →
Cellulose Insulation Slowed Canada Condominium Fire Fires in any dwelling can be dangerous to occupants and lead to extensive damage and even total property loss. In condominiums and other types of attached dwellings the spread of fire to adjacent units ... Read More →
Cellulose Insulation Protects Homeowners During House Fires Among the many benefits of cellulose insulation, beyond its core insulating properties, is the extra fire safety it provides to homeowners. In many cases home fires start as silent events, often in the ... Read More →
Cellulose Insulation Slow House Fire Spread By Design One the most misunderstood characteristic of cellulose insulation is it’s ability to slow the spread of flames in home and building fires. Cellulose Insulation is treated with boric acid and designed specifically ... Read More →
Watch Penny Burn In Wad Of Cellulose Insulation This very short video by Sean Maxwell has been around for a while but still provides a demonstration worth watching. CIMA does not recommend anyone attempting to replicate this demonstration. That said, ... Read More →
Maryland Fire & Rescue Institute Home Insulation Fire Video One of the most dramatic fire tests to compare the characteristics of various types of insulation in large simulated home fires was conducted in 1998 at the Maryland Fire & Safety ... Read More →
Watch Test Comparing Fires For Cellulose Insulation & Fiberglass Insulation Here is another video that demonstrates the characteristic differences between cellulose insulation and fiberglass insulation. Titled “The Big Burn” by its producers, the video is not a true scientific controlled ... Read More →
Nebraska fire demonstrates cellulose insulation fire control characteristics Cellulose insulation is designed to save homeowners money by making their homes more energy efficient. It also has a Class 1 fire rating and is designed to save their homes in a ... Read More →
Fire Test Videos Show Results For Cellulose & Fiberglass Insulation Products In the wake of the horrific June 2017 high rise fire in London interest in fire related to building insulation products surged. This fire was world-wide news and today ... Read More →
Carbon Neutral Housing
Cellulose Insulation Makes Sense Earth Day & Every Day With fears of global warming and climate change fast approaching a tipping point, the intent of Earth Day has never been more relevant. Conceived in 1969 at a UNESCO conference held ... Read More →
Cellulose Insulation Perfect Fit For National Recycle Day Cellulose Insulation is the leader in recycled building products and the perfect fit for participating in National Recycling Day…and every day! No other building insulation (or just about any other building product) ... Read More →
An article out this week from Canada provides an excellent example of how to design a zero-carbon footprint building. It aligns well with the “carbon-sink” concept first mentioned here on the Greenest Insulation Blog in 2010 and with the new ... Read More →
It’s encouraging to see the American Institute of Architects (AIA) launching their BLUEPRINT FOR BETTER initiative with the goal of reducing “climate change and inequities in the built environment.” That’s a fancy way of saying improve design in the construction ... Read More →
We continue to see more great examples of energy efficient home projects that include cellulose insulation in their design. One of the best is a Home and Barn project from Vermont featured in a story on Poptimes News. The home ... Read More →
Cellulose Insulation is part of “The Pretty Good House” Concept Finding ways to reduce climate change and global warming impacts is a universal need around the world today. Many in the building industry continue to work on improving new home ... Read More →
Construction With Wood-Based Products Traps Carbon The U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service established a $1 million in fund designated for supporting the construction of mass timber projects on college campuses across the country. The initiative is designed to simulate ... Read More →
A high percentage of homes in the U.S. have siding and of those vinyl continues to be the most common choice. Data from the Census Bureau’s Survey of Construction (SOC), shows vinyl (including vinyl-covered aluminum) was the most common exterior ... Read More →
As much of the nation experiences another bitterly cold winter in 2015 with record snowfalls, NOAA confirms reports 2014 was the hottest year ever recorded. The annual climate report on NOAA website states: “The year 2014 was the warmest year ... Read More →
Cellulose Insulation
Cellulose Insulation Makes Sense Earth Day & Every Day With fears of global warming and climate change fast approaching a tipping point, the intent of Earth Day has never been more relevant. Conceived in 1969 at a UNESCO conference held ... Read More →
Made in America is much harder to do that to say. The advent of globalization has clouded the “Made in the USA” tag for much of the manufacturing in the nation. Cellulose Insulation Manufacturers Association producer member companies and their ... Read More →
Weather and timing play a factor for homeowners considering replacing or upgrading insulation in the attic. Homeowners with attic insulation problems begin to notice discomfort in their homes and increasing energy bills as seasonal temperature extremes exceed attic insulation capabilities. ... Read More →
Cellulose Answer Man: Your Source For Information John S asks: I’ve never gone up in my attic right in the spring before and this year I did to install some new lighting. I am noticing that my cellulose insulation feels ... Read More →
Cellulose Answer Man: Your Source For Information Ray asks: When my house was built in 1978, blown in insulation was used. Out at the end of the roof rafters where it meets the soffit, a 10 inch piece of faced ... Read More →
Misinformation On Moisture And Cellulose Insulation A quick scan online of recent articles listing the pros and cons of cellulose insulation show how pervasive inaccurate myths persist about one of the most popular types of building insulation. Cellulose insulation is ... Read More →
Cellulose Answer Man: Your Source For Information Kelvin D asks: In order to achieve the best sound dampen through installation of cellulose between my basement and first floor, should I dense pack the material to the tune of 3.5 lb/ft^3. ... Read More →
Cellulose Answer Man: Your Source For Information Jason A asks: I have a question about the adhesive properties of wet spray cellulose insulation. Specifically, does wet spray cellulose insulation permanently self-adhere to the substrate? And can wet spray cellulose insulation ... Read More →
Cellulose Insulation Perfect Fit For National Recycle Day Cellulose Insulation is the leader in recycled building products and the perfect fit for participating in National Recycling Day…and every day! No other building insulation (or just about any other building product) ... Read More →
Cellulose Answer Man: Your Source For Information Timmy asks: I am a building maintenance teacher in southern WV. My students are going to exit my class in an area of a lot of old homes that do not currently have ... Read More →
How To Handle Fires In Buildings With Cellulose Insulation Cellulose insulation is an easily misunderstood building material. It is made from paper fibers, so it is an organic material. Left untreated, organic materials are combustible. Some other common insulation materials ... Read More →
Cellulose Answer Man: Your Source For Information Joey asks: I have a customer looking for Ecologo certification for Cellulose insulation. Can you please provide me with either testing or a certificate? Answer: ECOLOGO is an Underwriters Laboratories program documenting the ... Read More →
Cellulose Answer Man: Your Source For Information Nick asks: Hi, I am looking to set up some kind of learning opportunity for my firm to learn more about dense-packed cellulose best practices. We do a lot of commercial projects and ... Read More →
Cellulose Answer Man: Your Source For Information Julie asks: Hi, I just want to ask if it is possible to dense pack blown in cellulose into a garage ceiling which already has existing 60 year old batt insulation. I have ... Read More →
Cellulose Answer Man: Your Source For Information Jennifer asks: Can I install cellulose blown in insulation over batt insulation with tears in the vapor barrier? I was air sealing my attic and had to tear the vapor insulation to reach ... Read More →
Cellulose Answer Man: Your Source For Information Cheryl asks: Hello, I’m building a new house and I’m trying to decide between dense pack and wet spray cellulose in my 2×6 walls. I’m also trying to decide weather to use closed ... Read More →
Cellulose Answer Man: Your Source For Information Troy asks: I’m going to install Applegate cellulose insulation in the exterior walls and attic of my new house. I live in Central Nebraska. Do I need a vapor retarder like Membrain with ... Read More →
Cellulose Insulation Slowed Canada Condominium Fire Fires in any dwelling can be dangerous to occupants and lead to extensive damage and even total property loss. In condominiums and other types of attached dwellings the spread of fire to adjacent units ... Read More →
Cellulose Answer Man: Your Source For Information Sam asks: Are calculations of thickness for the depth just after installation or after it has settled for 3-4 years as mine has. Original depth was 16 inches, now it is about 12 ... Read More →
Cellulose Insulation Protects Homeowners During House Fires Among the many benefits of cellulose insulation, beyond its core insulating properties, is the extra fire safety it provides to homeowners. In many cases home fires start as silent events, often in the ... Read More →
An article out this week from Canada provides an excellent example of how to design a zero-carbon footprint building. It aligns well with the “carbon-sink” concept first mentioned here on the Greenest Insulation Blog in 2010 and with the new ... Read More →
It’s encouraging to see the American Institute of Architects (AIA) launching their BLUEPRINT FOR BETTER initiative with the goal of reducing “climate change and inequities in the built environment.” That’s a fancy way of saying improve design in the construction ... Read More →
Recent Article Lists 10 Best Ways to Go Green in Home Build or Remodel Geoff Spitzer’s article in the New Hampshire Business Review caught the eye of the Greenest Insulation Blog. This insightful piece offers an excellent list of items ... Read More →
News Article Attests To Insulation Upgrade Savings The first sign of coming colder weather typically leads many homeowners to start thinking (once again in most cases) of upgrading their home insulation. There are many examples online of how much savings ... Read More →
Cellulose Insulation Slow House Fire Spread By Design One the most misunderstood characteristic of cellulose insulation is it’s ability to slow the spread of flames in home and building fires. Cellulose Insulation is treated with boric acid and designed specifically ... Read More →
Cellulose Answer Man: Your Source For Information Glenda. asked: I was told by a termite that the cellulose insulation on the concrete walls under my house attracted termites. Is that true? (Should have said termite company. I do not really ... Read More →
Cellulose Answer Man: Your Source For Information Darrel S. asked: Why were each of the tests (in the videos on website) done without a wall finish, such as gypsum board? The addition of gypsum board might change the temperature of ... Read More →
Cellulose Answer Man: Your Source For Information Vassilios C. asked: Hello. Since boric acid is registered as toxic are there any studies on possible volatile organic compounds in cellulose? Thanks. Answer: Numerous cellulose insulation products have been tested per California ... Read More →
We continue to see more great examples of energy efficient home projects that include cellulose insulation in their design. One of the best is a Home and Barn project from Vermont featured in a story on Poptimes News. The home ... Read More →
Cellulose Answer Man: Your Source For Information Dan R. asked: Looking for some recommendations on blown in cellulose – do you know of any reps in the Pacific Northwest who could help answer some questions? There seems to be a ... Read More →
Cellulose Answer Man: Your Source For Information Aaron F. asked: I had brand new electrical installed in my 2nd floor. Can I cover 1900 and 11b boxes that run along my floor in the attic? I also have 16 x ... Read More →
Cellulose Answer Man: Your Source For Information Michael D. asked: I know even with dense packed cellulose in the walls, it will settle because of building movements. ?Will that cause any problems for even 1/2 inch of settlement in the ... Read More →
CIMA Producers Support Recycling Programs Cellulose Insulation, made from up to 85% recycled paper, has the highest percentage of recycled content among common building materials used in the United States. This emphasis on recycled material in the production of cellulose ... Read More →
Cellulose Insulation Environmental Product Declaration Published The Cellulose Insulation Manufacturers Association and the Cellulose Insulation Manufacturers Association of Canada, trade associations for producers of cellulose thermal/acoustical insulation in North America, and Sustainable Minds, a leading provider of products and services ... Read More →
The Facts On Cellulose Insulation & Vapor Barriers We receive many questions on the CIMA website Contact Us form every month. A recent one on cellulose insulation and air/vapor barriers (one of a flurry on the topic) tipped the scale ... Read More →
For many homeowners, proper attic insulation is a common concern and an easy target for improving energy efficiency. Most older homes, and even many newer ones, simply lack the proper amount of insulation in their attics. However, there are many ... Read More →
Construction With Wood-Based Products Traps Carbon The U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service established a $1 million in fund designated for supporting the construction of mass timber projects on college campuses across the country. The initiative is designed to simulate ... Read More →
New White Board Video Simplifies Passive House Concept There have been a few articles on the Greenest Insulation Blog that recognize the Passive House topic. It’s actually a very basic concept where, according to Wikipedia: A house that is designed ... Read More →
How To Avoid Common Attic Insulation DIY Project Injuries One of the most popular Do-It-Yourself energy efficiency projects for homeowners is adding insulation in the attics of their homes. But it can often lead to injuries when the proper precautions ... Read More →
Renovation of the historic Haynes Pictures Shop included Cellulose Insulation Cellulose insulation has been around at least since the time of Jefferson’s Monticello when old newspapers were used to insulate the famed mansion. Since that time, the product has evolved ... Read More →
We often recognize new innovative green products here on the Greenest Insulation Blog. There have been a few announced using cellulose for alternative products recently that appear to have promise and worth sharing. Many people are surprised to learn that ... Read More →
Welcome New Producer Member CleanFiber LLC The Cellulose Insulation Manufacturers Association is proud to welcome our newest producer member CleanFiber LLC. CleanFiber was conceived by several veteran cellulose insulation installers. They recently began production at their state-of-the-art facility in Buffalo, ... Read More →
The CIMA producer member company Advance Fiber Technology was recently recognized in their local Ohio newspaper for many years of providing high-quality products. Advance Fiber is a family business founded in the mid 1970s by Dick Leuthold and sons Doug ... Read More →
China Accepting Less U.S. Recycling Means Paper For Cellulose China is curtailing the amount of recycling material it accepts from the United States. This continues to be a pressing problem since the U.S. has shipped much of its recycled paper, ... Read More →
Reports Expose CFCs In Chinese Made Foam Insulation News reports broke this recently about the discovery of foam insulation manufactured in China that includes CFCs. According to the lead report by the Environmental Investigation Agency, now carried in several highly ... Read More →
Nanowood Has Lignin Removed Making It Less Heat Conductive We are always on the lookout for new trends in green building materials here on the CIMA blog.A story broke about an innovative new product called “Nanowood” caught our attention. Liangbing ... Read More →
Cellulose Insulation Has Industry’s Highest Recycled Content World-wide the amount of construction related waste continues to increase as growth booms in developed and emerging economies both. The need for recycling construction waste, and for innovative construction products that use recycled ... Read More →
Fire Test Videos Show Results For Cellulose & Fiberglass Insulation Products In the wake of the horrific June 2017 high rise fire in London interest in fire related to building insulation products surged. This fire was world-wide news and today ... Read More →
Cellulose Insulation Is Perfect For Insulating Walls Larry Janesky and his company Dr. Energy Saver Home Services specialize in cellulose insulation. They have produced an excellent video on the process for retrofitting the walls in an older home with dense ... Read More →
Insulating walls in a home or building is critical to achieving high energy efficiency. A big factor in the effectiveness is how well the wall cavity is sealed by the insulation. Fiberglass batts do not create an effective seal. Over ... Read More →
As the globe turns toward summer on the North American Continent the sun changes the equation for home energy efficiency. The number one way to save energy, money and the environment this summer: Manage The Thermostat. The best way to ... Read More →
A home building company recently contacted CIMA. They were considering changing standard features to include cellulose insulation in an effort to offer greener, more energy-efficient homes. But they had heard cellulose insulation settles and wanted to know how this affected ... Read More →
The EPA proposed new rules on August 14, 2015 to further reduce emissions of methane-rich gas from municipal solid waste (MSW) landfills in the U.S. These new EPA rules will by default likely require more emphasis on recycling of paper, ... Read More →
There are a variety of building insulation products on the market. They are all designed with the primary function of saving energy in homes and buildings. The basic measure of effectiveness by which all building insulation products are measured is ... Read More →
A high percentage of homes in the U.S. have siding and of those vinyl continues to be the most common choice. Data from the Census Bureau’s Survey of Construction (SOC), shows vinyl (including vinyl-covered aluminum) was the most common exterior ... Read More →
The Bob Vila website has a very good article covering the topic of blown in insulation. Writer Benjamin Hardy does an excellent job of comparing and contrasting the top products – loose fill fiberglass, cellulose and foam – and their ... Read More →
Weather can be serious business in Ohio with hot, humid summers, cold winters, and extreme weather possible throughout the year. With such a broad climate spectrum, proper weatherization of homes is critical to reducing household energy costs. As a byproduct, ... Read More →
As much of the nation experiences another bitterly cold winter in 2015 with record snowfalls, NOAA confirms reports 2014 was the hottest year ever recorded. The annual climate report on NOAA website states: “The year 2014 was the warmest year ... Read More →
In case you missed it, which is highly likely, the congress once again extended and the president signed into law the tax credit for home energy efficiency improvements. This includes the credit of for adding home insulation. The good news: ... Read More →
The music equipment and recording business is estimated at $7 billion world-wide. That includes thousands of “garage bands.” With a new focus in the industry on DIY and independent home recording, opportunities for the amateur artist to be heard on ... Read More →
Getting a home ready for winter is an annual fall event for most homeowners. The big items typically come to mind for most people interested in improving energy efficiency and lowing utility bills. Upgrading insulation, adding more caulk and replacing ... Read More →
Adding or upgrading insulation in a home attic is the best investment for energy efficiency home improvements. But many homeowners often neglect the need for insulating their HVAC ducts. One way to achieve both is to use blown-in cellulose insulation. ... Read More →
The best way to achieve the highest level of energy savings in older homes is to fully insulate the total building envelope. While most homeowners often add or upgrade attics many fail to consider insulating the exterior walls. This leads ... Read More →
Scouring the web for our Summer Home Improvement tips list uncovers a few good articles from a variety of sources. We found three lists that provide a good cross section of sources from RIS Media’s real estate driven news, to ... Read More →
Life-Cycle Analysis (LCA) calculation tools can be valuable resources for designers, builders, building officials and even consumers trying to determine the environmental impact of building products and materials. These calculators are available from a variety of sources and vary in ... Read More →
The winters seem to be getting worse as climate change impacts increase. Meteorologists have even coined a new phrase “polar vortex” for the more fierce cold fronts that push the deep freezes all the way to the deep south. Regardless ... Read More →
The Passive House Institute U.S. (PHI) no longer grants certification approval for construction projects using SPF insulation, which employ chemical agents with high Global-Warming-Costs (GWP). PHIUS’s executive director Katrin Klingenberg explained the decision: “It does not make any sense at ... Read More →
Airports and homes don’t mix and they never will. It’s an old problem that lately has been getting major attention in some cities with airports located in urban areas. All airplanes are loud and commercial jetliners are the loudest of ... Read More →
Installing cellulose insulation in a new home or upgrading an older home is a great way to improve energy efficiency and save money for years to come on home energy bills. In fact, it’s one of the quickest return on ... Read More →
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) regularly updates its Guides for the Use of Environmental Marketing Claims. The “Green Guide” outlines the guidelines and requirements for companies and marketers making claims about their products’ environmental benefits. This update by the FTC is ... Read More →
SUCCESSFUL ATTIC RETROFIT REQUIRES GOOD PREP The Cellulose Insulation Manufacturers Association (CIMA) recommends using a professional insulation contractor trained in the proper techniques of cellulose installation to achieve the maximum performance from an attic retrofit. However, a home owner should ... Read More →
A television station in Texas recently ran a story about a house fire and quoted a local fire official who erroneously stated cellulose insulation contributed to the damage. This insulation fire story from Texas includes many misstatements and errors based ... Read More →
Every year millions of houses are sold in the U.S. In many cases, a professional home inspection is conducted in the transaction process. The inspection is typically paid by the purchaser although, like most everything else in real estate transactions, ... Read More →
Cellulose Insulation Manufacturers Association President Chris Hoch was a featured speaker at the White House this month. The first-ever Weatherization Supply Chain event was held June 15 as a forum to discuss the Department of Energy’s Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP.) ... Read More →
How To Insulate Older Home Attic With Cellulose It’s not really hard to determine whether an old home needs new attic insulation. If there is room enough to get a look in the attic it’s pretty easy to tell. Recently ... Read More →
The Cellulose Insulation Manufacturers Association (CIMA) manages the website cellulose.org as an informational resource for its members, building industry professionals and consumers. Analysis of the visitors to the website, which number in the thousands monthly, reveals some interesting trends. Over ... Read More →
It is certainly no secret that energy costs are rising for U.S. households and businesses. While the estimates vary, studies in the past few years have put the average energy cost for the typical household ranging from 10 to as ... Read More →
Electric cooperatives (co-ops), unlike other types of electric utility companies, are beholden only to their members. Essentially each customer is a member and “owner” of the company. As such, electric co-ops have always tended to be progressive and aggressive in ... Read More →
Summertime. Thoughts of cold winter months fade–and many look forward to lower monthly energy bills. But don’t forget that buzzing you will soon hear while sitting on the porch is more often from air conditioners than cicadas. ... Read More →
CIMA awarded the Extreme Insulation Retrofit to a Kentucky couple selected at random in April from the hundreds who visited the online sweepstakes. Now, CIMA is blowing the door out of the Extreme Insulation Retrofit winner’s house. Well, to clarify, ... Read More →
There seems to be a lot of myths surrounding Cellulose Insulation. Namely, that it is made from paper so it must burn easily and that because it is called “cellulose” it must be a food source for mold. Well, quite ... Read More →
A study conducted by the University of Colorado School of Architecture shows that Cellulose insulation provides a more effective barrier against air infiltration than traditional insulation materials, one of the key factors in preventing energy loss. In cold weather, research ... Read More →
Charity
A high percentage of homes in the U.S. have siding and of those vinyl continues to be the most common choice. Data from the Census Bureau’s Survey of Construction (SOC), shows vinyl (including vinyl-covered aluminum) was the most common exterior ... Read More →
DIY & Insulation Tips
Cellulose Answer Man: Your Source For Information John S asks: I’ve never gone up in my attic right in the spring before and this year I did to install some new lighting. I am noticing that my cellulose insulation feels ... Read More →
Cellulose Answer Man: Your Source For Information Ray asks: When my house was built in 1978, blown in insulation was used. Out at the end of the roof rafters where it meets the soffit, a 10 inch piece of faced ... Read More →
Misinformation On Moisture And Cellulose Insulation A quick scan online of recent articles listing the pros and cons of cellulose insulation show how pervasive inaccurate myths persist about one of the most popular types of building insulation. Cellulose insulation is ... Read More →
Cellulose Answer Man: Your Source For Information Kelvin D asks: In order to achieve the best sound dampen through installation of cellulose between my basement and first floor, should I dense pack the material to the tune of 3.5 lb/ft^3. ... Read More →
Cellulose Answer Man: Your Source For Information Jason A asks: I have a question about the adhesive properties of wet spray cellulose insulation. Specifically, does wet spray cellulose insulation permanently self-adhere to the substrate? And can wet spray cellulose insulation ... Read More →
Cellulose Answer Man: Your Source For Information Timmy asks: I am a building maintenance teacher in southern WV. My students are going to exit my class in an area of a lot of old homes that do not currently have ... Read More →
How To Handle Fires In Buildings With Cellulose Insulation Cellulose insulation is an easily misunderstood building material. It is made from paper fibers, so it is an organic material. Left untreated, organic materials are combustible. Some other common insulation materials ... Read More →
Cellulose Answer Man: Your Source For Information Joey asks: I have a customer looking for Ecologo certification for Cellulose insulation. Can you please provide me with either testing or a certificate? Answer: ECOLOGO is an Underwriters Laboratories program documenting the ... Read More →
Cellulose Answer Man: Your Source For Information Nick asks: Hi, I am looking to set up some kind of learning opportunity for my firm to learn more about dense-packed cellulose best practices. We do a lot of commercial projects and ... Read More →
Homeowners Often Forget Walls When Updating Insulation Updating the insulation in older homes is critical to making living spaces more comfortable and monthly energy bills more manageable. Unfortunately, most homeowners only think as far as the attic forgetting to consider ... Read More →
Cellulose Answer Man: Your Source For Information Julie asks: Hi, I just want to ask if it is possible to dense pack blown in cellulose into a garage ceiling which already has existing 60 year old batt insulation. I have ... Read More →
Cellulose Answer Man: Your Source For Information Jennifer asks: Can I install cellulose blown in insulation over batt insulation with tears in the vapor barrier? I was air sealing my attic and had to tear the vapor insulation to reach ... Read More →
Cellulose Answer Man: Your Source For Information Cheryl asks: Hello, I’m building a new house and I’m trying to decide between dense pack and wet spray cellulose in my 2×6 walls. I’m also trying to decide weather to use closed ... Read More →
Cellulose Answer Man: Your Source For Information Troy asks: I’m going to install Applegate cellulose insulation in the exterior walls and attic of my new house. I live in Central Nebraska. Do I need a vapor retarder like Membrain with ... Read More →
Cellulose Answer Man: Your Source For Information Sam asks: Are calculations of thickness for the depth just after installation or after it has settled for 3-4 years as mine has. Original depth was 16 inches, now it is about 12 ... Read More →
Recent Article Lists 10 Best Ways to Go Green in Home Build or Remodel Geoff Spitzer’s article in the New Hampshire Business Review caught the eye of the Greenest Insulation Blog. This insightful piece offers an excellent list of items ... Read More →
News Article Attests To Insulation Upgrade Savings The first sign of coming colder weather typically leads many homeowners to start thinking (once again in most cases) of upgrading their home insulation. There are many examples online of how much savings ... Read More →
Cellulose Answer Man: Your Source For Information Justin asks: My home currently has spray foam insulation on all outer walls. (including under my roof in the attic.) I wanted to add blown in cellulose in the attic for more soundproofing ... Read More →
Cellulose Answer Man: Your Source For Information Paul C. posed an interesting question: I am a contractor working with cellulose to put into ceilings for builders in Australia. We have currently been questioned on the issue of the weight limitations ... Read More →
Cellulose Answer Man: Your Source For Information Glenda. asked: I was told by a termite that the cellulose insulation on the concrete walls under my house attracted termites. Is that true? (Should have said termite company. I do not really ... Read More →
Cellulose Answer Man: Your Source For Information Darrel S. asked: Why were each of the tests (in the videos on website) done without a wall finish, such as gypsum board? The addition of gypsum board might change the temperature of ... Read More →
Cellulose Answer Man: Your Source For Information Vassilios C. asked: Hello. Since boric acid is registered as toxic are there any studies on possible volatile organic compounds in cellulose? Thanks. Answer: Numerous cellulose insulation products have been tested per California ... Read More →
Cellulose Answer Man: Your Source For Information Dan R. asked: Looking for some recommendations on blown in cellulose – do you know of any reps in the Pacific Northwest who could help answer some questions? There seems to be a ... Read More →
Cellulose Answer Man: Your Source For Information Aaron F. asked: I had brand new electrical installed in my 2nd floor. Can I cover 1900 and 11b boxes that run along my floor in the attic? I also have 16 x ... Read More →
Cellulose Answer Man: Your Source For Information Michael D. asked: I know even with dense packed cellulose in the walls, it will settle because of building movements. ?Will that cause any problems for even 1/2 inch of settlement in the ... Read More →
Cellulose Answer Man: Your Source For Information Gared E. asked: Can cellulose insulation be installed directly to the roof sheathing without baffles or an air gap. There are installed roof and soffit vents as if the house was to have ... Read More →
CIMA Professionals Answer Your Insulation Questions CIMA is pleased to introduce our new Cellulose Answer Man service here on the Greenest Insulation Blog. Users on our website and the blog often send in comments and questions on a wide range ... Read More →
The Facts On Cellulose Insulation & Vapor Barriers We receive many questions on the CIMA website Contact Us form every month. A recent one on cellulose insulation and air/vapor barriers (one of a flurry on the topic) tipped the scale ... Read More →
For many homeowners, proper attic insulation is a common concern and an easy target for improving energy efficiency. Most older homes, and even many newer ones, simply lack the proper amount of insulation in their attics. However, there are many ... Read More →
Here Is How To Determine Current Home Attic R-Value One of the most common questions homeowners ask is how to determine the R-Value of their current attic insulation. This typically results when a homeowner begins to think about improving their ... Read More →
How To Avoid Common Attic Insulation DIY Project Injuries One of the most popular Do-It-Yourself energy efficiency projects for homeowners is adding insulation in the attics of their homes. But it can often lead to injuries when the proper precautions ... Read More →
Those Beautiful Icicles Likely A Sign Of Bad Attic Insulation The 2019 winter prediction report mentioned here on the Greenest Insulation Blog has proven to be very accurate. A cold and wet winter continues across most of the U.S. One ... Read More →
Snow melting quick on house roof can indicate attic insulation deficiencies. While in the midst of winter it is often too late to add insulation to home attics, snowfalls can actually help to identify potential deficiencies that can be corrected ... Read More →
Nebraska fire demonstrates cellulose insulation fire control characteristics Cellulose insulation is designed to save homeowners money by making their homes more energy efficient. It also has a Class 1 fire rating and is designed to save their homes in a ... Read More →
Cellulose Insulation Is Perfect For Insulating Walls Larry Janesky and his company Dr. Energy Saver Home Services specialize in cellulose insulation. They have produced an excellent video on the process for retrofitting the walls in an older home with dense ... Read More →
One of the critical areas where homes lose energy efficiency is at the attic access hatch. Regardless of the insulation product type used, air leaks from a poorly insulated attic access will result in higher heating and cooling bills. This ... Read More →
As the globe turns toward summer on the North American Continent the sun changes the equation for home energy efficiency. The number one way to save energy, money and the environment this summer: Manage The Thermostat. The best way to ... Read More →
A home building company recently contacted CIMA. They were considering changing standard features to include cellulose insulation in an effort to offer greener, more energy-efficient homes. But they had heard cellulose insulation settles and wanted to know how this affected ... Read More →
A high percentage of homes in the U.S. have siding and of those vinyl continues to be the most common choice. Data from the Census Bureau’s Survey of Construction (SOC), shows vinyl (including vinyl-covered aluminum) was the most common exterior ... Read More →
The Bob Vila website has a very good article covering the topic of blown in insulation. Writer Benjamin Hardy does an excellent job of comparing and contrasting the top products – loose fill fiberglass, cellulose and foam – and their ... Read More →
Many residents and businesses are compiling spring cleaning lists as most of the nation thaws from one of the coldest and snowiest winters on record. Spring should also trigger energy-efficiency and safety checklists including the often forgot attic insulation. Here ... Read More →
The music equipment and recording business is estimated at $7 billion world-wide. That includes thousands of “garage bands.” With a new focus in the industry on DIY and independent home recording, opportunities for the amateur artist to be heard on ... Read More →
Getting a home ready for winter is an annual fall event for most homeowners. The big items typically come to mind for most people interested in improving energy efficiency and lowing utility bills. Upgrading insulation, adding more caulk and replacing ... Read More →
Adding or upgrading insulation in a home attic is the best investment for energy efficiency home improvements. But many homeowners often neglect the need for insulating their HVAC ducts. One way to achieve both is to use blown-in cellulose insulation. ... Read More →
The best way to achieve the highest level of energy savings in older homes is to fully insulate the total building envelope. While most homeowners often add or upgrade attics many fail to consider insulating the exterior walls. This leads ... Read More →
Scouring the web for our Summer Home Improvement tips list uncovers a few good articles from a variety of sources. We found three lists that provide a good cross section of sources from RIS Media’s real estate driven news, to ... Read More →
The winters seem to be getting worse as climate change impacts increase. Meteorologists have even coined a new phrase “polar vortex” for the more fierce cold fronts that push the deep freezes all the way to the deep south. Regardless ... Read More →
SUCCESSFUL ATTIC RETROFIT REQUIRES GOOD PREP The Cellulose Insulation Manufacturers Association (CIMA) recommends using a professional insulation contractor trained in the proper techniques of cellulose installation to achieve the maximum performance from an attic retrofit. However, a home owner should ... Read More →
Every year millions of houses are sold in the U.S. In many cases, a professional home inspection is conducted in the transaction process. The inspection is typically paid by the purchaser although, like most everything else in real estate transactions, ... Read More →
How To Insulate Older Home Attic With Cellulose It’s not really hard to determine whether an old home needs new attic insulation. If there is room enough to get a look in the attic it’s pretty easy to tell. Recently ... Read More →
The Cellulose Insulation Manufacturers Association (CIMA) manages the website cellulose.org as an informational resource for its members, building industry professionals and consumers. Analysis of the visitors to the website, which number in the thousands monthly, reveals some interesting trends. Over ... Read More →
Dayton, OH (June 15, 2011)–The benefits of having a home properly insulated are readily obvious when it comes to saving energy and reducing home heating and cooling costs. Most everyone knows that having higher R-Value insulation and tighter seals makes ... Read More →
Summertime. Thoughts of cold winter months fade–and many look forward to lower monthly energy bills. But don’t forget that buzzing you will soon hear while sitting on the porch is more often from air conditioners than cicadas. ... Read More →
CIMA awarded the Extreme Insulation Retrofit to a Kentucky couple selected at random in April from the hundreds who visited the online sweepstakes. Now, CIMA is blowing the door out of the Extreme Insulation Retrofit winner’s house. Well, to clarify, ... Read More →
Energy Savings
Cellulose Insulation Makes Sense Earth Day & Every Day With fears of global warming and climate change fast approaching a tipping point, the intent of Earth Day has never been more relevant. Conceived in 1969 at a UNESCO conference held ... Read More →
Cellulose Insulation Perfect Fit For National Recycle Day Cellulose Insulation is the leader in recycled building products and the perfect fit for participating in National Recycling Day…and every day! No other building insulation (or just about any other building product) ... Read More →
Homeowners Often Forget Walls When Updating Insulation Updating the insulation in older homes is critical to making living spaces more comfortable and monthly energy bills more manageable. Unfortunately, most homeowners only think as far as the attic forgetting to consider ... Read More →
News Article Attests To Insulation Upgrade Savings The first sign of coming colder weather typically leads many homeowners to start thinking (once again in most cases) of upgrading their home insulation. There are many examples online of how much savings ... Read More →
Cellulose Insulation is part of “The Pretty Good House” Concept Finding ways to reduce climate change and global warming impacts is a universal need around the world today. Many in the building industry continue to work on improving new home ... Read More →
Here Is How To Determine Current Home Attic R-Value One of the most common questions homeowners ask is how to determine the R-Value of their current attic insulation. This typically results when a homeowner begins to think about improving their ... Read More →
Those Beautiful Icicles Likely A Sign Of Bad Attic Insulation The 2019 winter prediction report mentioned here on the Greenest Insulation Blog has proven to be very accurate. A cold and wet winter continues across most of the U.S. One ... Read More →
The concept of Net-Zero Energy homes appears to be moving forward toward main stream. California is leading the nation with a goal of having all new homes constructed by 2020 achieving net-zero under its Residential ZNE Plan. Builders and homeowners ... Read More →
As the globe turns toward summer on the North American Continent the sun changes the equation for home energy efficiency. The number one way to save energy, money and the environment this summer: Manage The Thermostat. The best way to ... Read More →
The EPA proposed new rules on August 14, 2015 to further reduce emissions of methane-rich gas from municipal solid waste (MSW) landfills in the U.S. These new EPA rules will by default likely require more emphasis on recycling of paper, ... Read More →
There are a variety of building insulation products on the market. They are all designed with the primary function of saving energy in homes and buildings. The basic measure of effectiveness by which all building insulation products are measured is ... Read More →
A high percentage of homes in the U.S. have siding and of those vinyl continues to be the most common choice. Data from the Census Bureau’s Survey of Construction (SOC), shows vinyl (including vinyl-covered aluminum) was the most common exterior ... Read More →
Weather can be serious business in Ohio with hot, humid summers, cold winters, and extreme weather possible throughout the year. With such a broad climate spectrum, proper weatherization of homes is critical to reducing household energy costs. As a byproduct, ... Read More →
Many residents and businesses are compiling spring cleaning lists as most of the nation thaws from one of the coldest and snowiest winters on record. Spring should also trigger energy-efficiency and safety checklists including the often forgot attic insulation. Here ... Read More →
In case you missed it, which is highly likely, the congress once again extended and the president signed into law the tax credit for home energy efficiency improvements. This includes the credit of for adding home insulation. The good news: ... Read More →
Getting a home ready for winter is an annual fall event for most homeowners. The big items typically come to mind for most people interested in improving energy efficiency and lowing utility bills. Upgrading insulation, adding more caulk and replacing ... Read More →
Adding or upgrading insulation in a home attic is the best investment for energy efficiency home improvements. But many homeowners often neglect the need for insulating their HVAC ducts. One way to achieve both is to use blown-in cellulose insulation. ... Read More →
The energy efficiency goal in the design of any home is ultimately passivity. Everyone would like to have a really comfortable home interior living environment with little or no cost for heating and cooling. But what defines a truly “passive ... Read More →
The best way to achieve the highest level of energy savings in older homes is to fully insulate the total building envelope. While most homeowners often add or upgrade attics many fail to consider insulating the exterior walls. This leads ... Read More →
Scouring the web for our Summer Home Improvement tips list uncovers a few good articles from a variety of sources. We found three lists that provide a good cross section of sources from RIS Media’s real estate driven news, to ... Read More →
The winters seem to be getting worse as climate change impacts increase. Meteorologists have even coined a new phrase “polar vortex” for the more fierce cold fronts that push the deep freezes all the way to the deep south. Regardless ... Read More →
Here at the Greenest Insulation Blog it has long been asserted the best energy saving home improvement is a well insulated house. A story at theenergycollective.com comparing the value of insulation in homes in Northern Europe confirms this premise. They ... Read More →
Every year millions of houses are sold in the U.S. In many cases, a professional home inspection is conducted in the transaction process. The inspection is typically paid by the purchaser although, like most everything else in real estate transactions, ... Read More →
Cellulose Insulation Manufacturers Association President Chris Hoch was a featured speaker at the White House this month. The first-ever Weatherization Supply Chain event was held June 15 as a forum to discuss the Department of Energy’s Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP.) ... Read More →
The Cellulose Insulation Manufacturers Association (CIMA) manages the website cellulose.org as an informational resource for its members, building industry professionals and consumers. Analysis of the visitors to the website, which number in the thousands monthly, reveals some interesting trends. Over ... Read More →
Green Building
Cellulose Insulation Makes Sense Earth Day & Every Day With fears of global warming and climate change fast approaching a tipping point, the intent of Earth Day has never been more relevant. Conceived in 1969 at a UNESCO conference held ... Read More →
Cellulose Insulation Perfect Fit For National Recycle Day Cellulose Insulation is the leader in recycled building products and the perfect fit for participating in National Recycling Day…and every day! No other building insulation (or just about any other building product) ... Read More →
An article out this week from Canada provides an excellent example of how to design a zero-carbon footprint building. It aligns well with the “carbon-sink” concept first mentioned here on the Greenest Insulation Blog in 2010 and with the new ... Read More →
It’s encouraging to see the American Institute of Architects (AIA) launching their BLUEPRINT FOR BETTER initiative with the goal of reducing “climate change and inequities in the built environment.” That’s a fancy way of saying improve design in the construction ... Read More →
Recent Article Lists 10 Best Ways to Go Green in Home Build or Remodel Geoff Spitzer’s article in the New Hampshire Business Review caught the eye of the Greenest Insulation Blog. This insightful piece offers an excellent list of items ... Read More →
We continue to see more great examples of energy efficient home projects that include cellulose insulation in their design. One of the best is a Home and Barn project from Vermont featured in a story on Poptimes News. The home ... Read More →
Cellulose Insulation is part of “The Pretty Good House” Concept Finding ways to reduce climate change and global warming impacts is a universal need around the world today. Many in the building industry continue to work on improving new home ... Read More →
CIMA Producers Support Recycling Programs Cellulose Insulation, made from up to 85% recycled paper, has the highest percentage of recycled content among common building materials used in the United States. This emphasis on recycled material in the production of cellulose ... Read More →
Cellulose Insulation Environmental Product Declaration Published The Cellulose Insulation Manufacturers Association and the Cellulose Insulation Manufacturers Association of Canada, trade associations for producers of cellulose thermal/acoustical insulation in North America, and Sustainable Minds, a leading provider of products and services ... Read More →
Construction With Wood-Based Products Traps Carbon The U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service established a $1 million in fund designated for supporting the construction of mass timber projects on college campuses across the country. The initiative is designed to simulate ... Read More →
New White Board Video Simplifies Passive House Concept There have been a few articles on the Greenest Insulation Blog that recognize the Passive House topic. It’s actually a very basic concept where, according to Wikipedia: A house that is designed ... Read More →
NRDC and the National Housing Trust Suggest Avoiding Foam Chemicals A report released by Energy Efficiency for All, a partnership of Non Governmental Agencies (NGOs) that includes the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) and National Housing Trust, cautions home builders ... Read More →
Nanowood Has Lignin Removed Making It Less Heat Conductive We are always on the lookout for new trends in green building materials here on the CIMA blog.A story broke about an innovative new product called “Nanowood” caught our attention. Liangbing ... Read More →
Cellulose Insulation Has Industry’s Highest Recycled Content World-wide the amount of construction related waste continues to increase as growth booms in developed and emerging economies both. The need for recycling construction waste, and for innovative construction products that use recycled ... Read More →
Insulating walls in a home or building is critical to achieving high energy efficiency. A big factor in the effectiveness is how well the wall cavity is sealed by the insulation. Fiberglass batts do not create an effective seal. Over ... Read More →
The concept of Net-Zero Energy homes appears to be moving forward toward main stream. California is leading the nation with a goal of having all new homes constructed by 2020 achieving net-zero under its Residential ZNE Plan. Builders and homeowners ... Read More →
The EPA proposed new rules on August 14, 2015 to further reduce emissions of methane-rich gas from municipal solid waste (MSW) landfills in the U.S. These new EPA rules will by default likely require more emphasis on recycling of paper, ... Read More →
There are a variety of building insulation products on the market. They are all designed with the primary function of saving energy in homes and buildings. The basic measure of effectiveness by which all building insulation products are measured is ... Read More →
As much of the nation experiences another bitterly cold winter in 2015 with record snowfalls, NOAA confirms reports 2014 was the hottest year ever recorded. The annual climate report on NOAA website states: “The year 2014 was the warmest year ... Read More →
The music equipment and recording business is estimated at $7 billion world-wide. That includes thousands of “garage bands.” With a new focus in the industry on DIY and independent home recording, opportunities for the amateur artist to be heard on ... Read More →
Environmental consumerism is on the rise in the U.S. and around the globe according to a recent study by Havas PR: Because It Matters. The report was reviewed in a recent article by EnvironmentalLeader.com and recaps the study that analyzed ... Read More →
The energy efficiency goal in the design of any home is ultimately passivity. Everyone would like to have a really comfortable home interior living environment with little or no cost for heating and cooling. But what defines a truly “passive ... Read More →
The best way to achieve the highest level of energy savings in older homes is to fully insulate the total building envelope. While most homeowners often add or upgrade attics many fail to consider insulating the exterior walls. This leads ... Read More →
Life-Cycle Analysis (LCA) calculation tools can be valuable resources for designers, builders, building officials and even consumers trying to determine the environmental impact of building products and materials. These calculators are available from a variety of sources and vary in ... Read More →
Here at the Greenest Insulation Blog it has long been asserted the best energy saving home improvement is a well insulated house. A story at theenergycollective.com comparing the value of insulation in homes in Northern Europe confirms this premise. They ... Read More →
The Passive House Institute U.S. (PHI) no longer grants certification approval for construction projects using SPF insulation, which employ chemical agents with high Global-Warming-Costs (GWP). PHIUS’s executive director Katrin Klingenberg explained the decision: “It does not make any sense at ... Read More →
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) regularly updates its Guides for the Use of Environmental Marketing Claims. The “Green Guide” outlines the guidelines and requirements for companies and marketers making claims about their products’ environmental benefits. This update by the FTC is ... Read More →
The Cellulose Insulation Manufacturers Association (CIMA) manages the website cellulose.org as an informational resource for its members, building industry professionals and consumers. Analysis of the visitors to the website, which number in the thousands monthly, reveals some interesting trends. Over ... Read More →
Summertime. Thoughts of cold winter months fade–and many look forward to lower monthly energy bills. But don’t forget that buzzing you will soon hear while sitting on the porch is more often from air conditioners than cicadas. ... Read More →
CIMA awarded the Extreme Insulation Retrofit to a Kentucky couple selected at random in April from the hundreds who visited the online sweepstakes. Now, CIMA is blowing the door out of the Extreme Insulation Retrofit winner’s house. Well, to clarify, ... Read More →
Green Products
Cellulose Insulation Makes Sense Earth Day & Every Day With fears of global warming and climate change fast approaching a tipping point, the intent of Earth Day has never been more relevant. Conceived in 1969 at a UNESCO conference held ... Read More →
Cellulose Insulation Perfect Fit For National Recycle Day Cellulose Insulation is the leader in recycled building products and the perfect fit for participating in National Recycling Day…and every day! No other building insulation (or just about any other building product) ... Read More →
An article out this week from Canada provides an excellent example of how to design a zero-carbon footprint building. It aligns well with the “carbon-sink” concept first mentioned here on the Greenest Insulation Blog in 2010 and with the new ... Read More →
It’s encouraging to see the American Institute of Architects (AIA) launching their BLUEPRINT FOR BETTER initiative with the goal of reducing “climate change and inequities in the built environment.” That’s a fancy way of saying improve design in the construction ... Read More →
Recent Article Lists 10 Best Ways to Go Green in Home Build or Remodel Geoff Spitzer’s article in the New Hampshire Business Review caught the eye of the Greenest Insulation Blog. This insightful piece offers an excellent list of items ... Read More →
We continue to see more great examples of energy efficient home projects that include cellulose insulation in their design. One of the best is a Home and Barn project from Vermont featured in a story on Poptimes News. The home ... Read More →
Cellulose Insulation is part of “The Pretty Good House” Concept Finding ways to reduce climate change and global warming impacts is a universal need around the world today. Many in the building industry continue to work on improving new home ... Read More →
NRDC and the National Housing Trust Suggest Avoiding Foam Chemicals A report released by Energy Efficiency for All, a partnership of Non Governmental Agencies (NGOs) that includes the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) and National Housing Trust, cautions home builders ... Read More →
Nanowood Has Lignin Removed Making It Less Heat Conductive We are always on the lookout for new trends in green building materials here on the CIMA blog.A story broke about an innovative new product called “Nanowood” caught our attention. Liangbing ... Read More →
There are a variety of building insulation products on the market. They are all designed with the primary function of saving energy in homes and buildings. The basic measure of effectiveness by which all building insulation products are measured is ... Read More →
The Bob Vila website has a very good article covering the topic of blown in insulation. Writer Benjamin Hardy does an excellent job of comparing and contrasting the top products – loose fill fiberglass, cellulose and foam – and their ... Read More →
Environmental consumerism is on the rise in the U.S. and around the globe according to a recent study by Havas PR: Because It Matters. The report was reviewed in a recent article by EnvironmentalLeader.com and recaps the study that analyzed ... Read More →
Adding or upgrading insulation in a home attic is the best investment for energy efficiency home improvements. But many homeowners often neglect the need for insulating their HVAC ducts. One way to achieve both is to use blown-in cellulose insulation. ... Read More →
Life-Cycle Analysis (LCA) calculation tools can be valuable resources for designers, builders, building officials and even consumers trying to determine the environmental impact of building products and materials. These calculators are available from a variety of sources and vary in ... Read More →
The Passive House Institute U.S. (PHI) no longer grants certification approval for construction projects using SPF insulation, which employ chemical agents with high Global-Warming-Costs (GWP). PHIUS’s executive director Katrin Klingenberg explained the decision: “It does not make any sense at ... Read More →
The nations leading cellulose insulation manufacturers continue to find innovative ways to convert waste paper into energy-efficient insulation products. Cellulose insulation producers stay in tune with recycled paper trends, and with obvious interest in old newsprint (ONP) supplies. Recycled newsprint ... Read More →
CIMA awarded the Extreme Insulation Retrofit to a Kentucky couple selected at random in April from the hundreds who visited the online sweepstakes. Now, CIMA is blowing the door out of the Extreme Insulation Retrofit winner’s house. Well, to clarify, ... Read More →
News & Information
Cellulose Insulation Makes Sense Earth Day & Every Day With fears of global warming and climate change fast approaching a tipping point, the intent of Earth Day has never been more relevant. Conceived in 1969 at a UNESCO conference held ... Read More →
Made in America is much harder to do that to say. The advent of globalization has clouded the “Made in the USA” tag for much of the manufacturing in the nation. Cellulose Insulation Manufacturers Association producer member companies and their ... Read More →
Cellulose Answer Man: Your Source For Information John S asks: I’ve never gone up in my attic right in the spring before and this year I did to install some new lighting. I am noticing that my cellulose insulation feels ... Read More →
Cellulose Answer Man: Your Source For Information Ray asks: When my house was built in 1978, blown in insulation was used. Out at the end of the roof rafters where it meets the soffit, a 10 inch piece of faced ... Read More →
Misinformation On Moisture And Cellulose Insulation A quick scan online of recent articles listing the pros and cons of cellulose insulation show how pervasive inaccurate myths persist about one of the most popular types of building insulation. Cellulose insulation is ... Read More →
Cellulose Answer Man: Your Source For Information Kelvin D asks: In order to achieve the best sound dampen through installation of cellulose between my basement and first floor, should I dense pack the material to the tune of 3.5 lb/ft^3. ... Read More →
Cellulose Answer Man: Your Source For Information Jason A asks: I have a question about the adhesive properties of wet spray cellulose insulation. Specifically, does wet spray cellulose insulation permanently self-adhere to the substrate? And can wet spray cellulose insulation ... Read More →
Cellulose Insulation Perfect Fit For National Recycle Day Cellulose Insulation is the leader in recycled building products and the perfect fit for participating in National Recycling Day…and every day! No other building insulation (or just about any other building product) ... Read More →
Cellulose Answer Man: Your Source For Information Timmy asks: I am a building maintenance teacher in southern WV. My students are going to exit my class in an area of a lot of old homes that do not currently have ... Read More →
How To Handle Fires In Buildings With Cellulose Insulation Cellulose insulation is an easily misunderstood building material. It is made from paper fibers, so it is an organic material. Left untreated, organic materials are combustible. Some other common insulation materials ... Read More →
Cellulose Answer Man: Your Source For Information Joey asks: I have a customer looking for Ecologo certification for Cellulose insulation. Can you please provide me with either testing or a certificate? Answer: ECOLOGO is an Underwriters Laboratories program documenting the ... Read More →
Cellulose Answer Man: Your Source For Information Nick asks: Hi, I am looking to set up some kind of learning opportunity for my firm to learn more about dense-packed cellulose best practices. We do a lot of commercial projects and ... Read More →
Homeowners Often Forget Walls When Updating Insulation Updating the insulation in older homes is critical to making living spaces more comfortable and monthly energy bills more manageable. Unfortunately, most homeowners only think as far as the attic forgetting to consider ... Read More →
Cellulose Answer Man: Your Source For Information Julie asks: Hi, I just want to ask if it is possible to dense pack blown in cellulose into a garage ceiling which already has existing 60 year old batt insulation. I have ... Read More →
More Examples of Cellulose Insulation Controlling Fire Spread In Homes We continue to monitor the news for reports of home and building fires where cellulose insulation is in use. A couple stories recently offer yet more good examples of how ... Read More →
Cellulose Answer Man: Your Source For Information Jennifer asks: Can I install cellulose blown in insulation over batt insulation with tears in the vapor barrier? I was air sealing my attic and had to tear the vapor insulation to reach ... Read More →
Cellulose Answer Man: Your Source For Information Cheryl asks: Hello, I’m building a new house and I’m trying to decide between dense pack and wet spray cellulose in my 2×6 walls. I’m also trying to decide weather to use closed ... Read More →
Cellulose Answer Man: Your Source For Information Troy asks: I’m going to install Applegate cellulose insulation in the exterior walls and attic of my new house. I live in Central Nebraska. Do I need a vapor retarder like Membrain with ... Read More →
Cellulose Insulation Slowed Canada Condominium Fire Fires in any dwelling can be dangerous to occupants and lead to extensive damage and even total property loss. In condominiums and other types of attached dwellings the spread of fire to adjacent units ... Read More →
Cellulose Answer Man: Your Source For Information Sam asks: Are calculations of thickness for the depth just after installation or after it has settled for 3-4 years as mine has. Original depth was 16 inches, now it is about 12 ... Read More →
Cellulose Insulation Protects Homeowners During House Fires Among the many benefits of cellulose insulation, beyond its core insulating properties, is the extra fire safety it provides to homeowners. In many cases home fires start as silent events, often in the ... Read More →
An article out this week from Canada provides an excellent example of how to design a zero-carbon footprint building. It aligns well with the “carbon-sink” concept first mentioned here on the Greenest Insulation Blog in 2010 and with the new ... Read More →
It’s encouraging to see the American Institute of Architects (AIA) launching their BLUEPRINT FOR BETTER initiative with the goal of reducing “climate change and inequities in the built environment.” That’s a fancy way of saying improve design in the construction ... Read More →
Recent Article Lists 10 Best Ways to Go Green in Home Build or Remodel Geoff Spitzer’s article in the New Hampshire Business Review caught the eye of the Greenest Insulation Blog. This insightful piece offers an excellent list of items ... Read More →
News Article Attests To Insulation Upgrade Savings The first sign of coming colder weather typically leads many homeowners to start thinking (once again in most cases) of upgrading their home insulation. There are many examples online of how much savings ... Read More →
Cellulose Answer Man: Your Source For Information Justin asks: My home currently has spray foam insulation on all outer walls. (including under my roof in the attic.) I wanted to add blown in cellulose in the attic for more soundproofing ... Read More →
Cellulose Answer Man: Your Source For Information Paul C. posed an interesting question: I am a contractor working with cellulose to put into ceilings for builders in Australia. We have currently been questioned on the issue of the weight limitations ... Read More →
Cellulose Insulation Slow House Fire Spread By Design One the most misunderstood characteristic of cellulose insulation is it’s ability to slow the spread of flames in home and building fires. Cellulose Insulation is treated with boric acid and designed specifically ... Read More →
Cellulose Answer Man: Your Source For Information Glenda. asked: I was told by a termite that the cellulose insulation on the concrete walls under my house attracted termites. Is that true? (Should have said termite company. I do not really ... Read More →
Cellulose Answer Man: Your Source For Information Darrel S. asked: Why were each of the tests (in the videos on website) done without a wall finish, such as gypsum board? The addition of gypsum board might change the temperature of ... Read More →
Cellulose Answer Man: Your Source For Information Vassilios C. asked: Hello. Since boric acid is registered as toxic are there any studies on possible volatile organic compounds in cellulose? Thanks. Answer: Numerous cellulose insulation products have been tested per California ... Read More →
We continue to see more great examples of energy efficient home projects that include cellulose insulation in their design. One of the best is a Home and Barn project from Vermont featured in a story on Poptimes News. The home ... Read More →
Cellulose Insulation is part of “The Pretty Good House” Concept Finding ways to reduce climate change and global warming impacts is a universal need around the world today. Many in the building industry continue to work on improving new home ... Read More →
Cellulose Answer Man: Your Source For Information Dan R. asked: Looking for some recommendations on blown in cellulose – do you know of any reps in the Pacific Northwest who could help answer some questions? There seems to be a ... Read More →
Cellulose Answer Man: Your Source For Information Aaron F. asked: I had brand new electrical installed in my 2nd floor. Can I cover 1900 and 11b boxes that run along my floor in the attic? I also have 16 x ... Read More →
Cellulose Answer Man: Your Source For Information Michael D. asked: I know even with dense packed cellulose in the walls, it will settle because of building movements. ?Will that cause any problems for even 1/2 inch of settlement in the ... Read More →
Cellulose Answer Man: Your Source For Information Gared E. asked: Can cellulose insulation be installed directly to the roof sheathing without baffles or an air gap. There are installed roof and soffit vents as if the house was to have ... Read More →
CIMA Professionals Answer Your Insulation Questions CIMA is pleased to introduce our new Cellulose Answer Man service here on the Greenest Insulation Blog. Users on our website and the blog often send in comments and questions on a wide range ... Read More →
CIMA Producers Support Recycling Programs Cellulose Insulation, made from up to 85% recycled paper, has the highest percentage of recycled content among common building materials used in the United States. This emphasis on recycled material in the production of cellulose ... Read More →
Cellulose Insulation Environmental Product Declaration Published The Cellulose Insulation Manufacturers Association and the Cellulose Insulation Manufacturers Association of Canada, trade associations for producers of cellulose thermal/acoustical insulation in North America, and Sustainable Minds, a leading provider of products and services ... Read More →
The Facts On Cellulose Insulation & Vapor Barriers We receive many questions on the CIMA website Contact Us form every month. A recent one on cellulose insulation and air/vapor barriers (one of a flurry on the topic) tipped the scale ... Read More →
For many homeowners, proper attic insulation is a common concern and an easy target for improving energy efficiency. Most older homes, and even many newer ones, simply lack the proper amount of insulation in their attics. However, there are many ... Read More →
Here Is How To Determine Current Home Attic R-Value One of the most common questions homeowners ask is how to determine the R-Value of their current attic insulation. This typically results when a homeowner begins to think about improving their ... Read More →
Construction With Wood-Based Products Traps Carbon The U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service established a $1 million in fund designated for supporting the construction of mass timber projects on college campuses across the country. The initiative is designed to simulate ... Read More →
Renovation of the historic Haynes Pictures Shop included Cellulose Insulation Cellulose insulation has been around at least since the time of Jefferson’s Monticello when old newspapers were used to insulate the famed mansion. Since that time, the product has evolved ... Read More →
We often recognize new innovative green products here on the Greenest Insulation Blog. There have been a few announced using cellulose for alternative products recently that appear to have promise and worth sharing. Many people are surprised to learn that ... Read More →
Welcome New Producer Member CleanFiber LLC The Cellulose Insulation Manufacturers Association is proud to welcome our newest producer member CleanFiber LLC. CleanFiber was conceived by several veteran cellulose insulation installers. They recently began production at their state-of-the-art facility in Buffalo, ... Read More →
Those Beautiful Icicles Likely A Sign Of Bad Attic Insulation The 2019 winter prediction report mentioned here on the Greenest Insulation Blog has proven to be very accurate. A cold and wet winter continues across most of the U.S. One ... Read More →
Fiberlite Technologies Appoints Patricia Grubb CIMA producer member Fiberlite Technologies has promoted long-time employee Patricia Grubb to head the company’s production plant in Joplin, Missouri as General Manager. She is one of just a few woman to hold such a ... Read More →
Snow melting quick on house roof can indicate attic insulation deficiencies. While in the midst of winter it is often too late to add insulation to home attics, snowfalls can actually help to identify potential deficiencies that can be corrected ... Read More →
The CIMA producer member company Advance Fiber Technology was recently recognized in their local Ohio newspaper for many years of providing high-quality products. Advance Fiber is a family business founded in the mid 1970s by Dick Leuthold and sons Doug ... Read More →
NRDC and the National Housing Trust Suggest Avoiding Foam Chemicals A report released by Energy Efficiency for All, a partnership of Non Governmental Agencies (NGOs) that includes the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) and National Housing Trust, cautions home builders ... Read More →
China Accepting Less U.S. Recycling Means Paper For Cellulose China is curtailing the amount of recycling material it accepts from the United States. This continues to be a pressing problem since the U.S. has shipped much of its recycled paper, ... Read More →
Reports Expose CFCs In Chinese Made Foam Insulation News reports broke this recently about the discovery of foam insulation manufactured in China that includes CFCs. According to the lead report by the Environmental Investigation Agency, now carried in several highly ... Read More →
Nanowood Has Lignin Removed Making It Less Heat Conductive We are always on the lookout for new trends in green building materials here on the CIMA blog.A story broke about an innovative new product called “Nanowood” caught our attention. Liangbing ... Read More →
Cellulose Insulation Has Industry’s Highest Recycled Content World-wide the amount of construction related waste continues to increase as growth booms in developed and emerging economies both. The need for recycling construction waste, and for innovative construction products that use recycled ... Read More →
Watch Test Comparing Fires For Cellulose Insulation & Fiberglass Insulation Here is another video that demonstrates the characteristic differences between cellulose insulation and fiberglass insulation. Titled “The Big Burn” by its producers, the video is not a true scientific controlled ... Read More →
Fire Test Videos Show Results For Cellulose & Fiberglass Insulation Products In the wake of the horrific June 2017 high rise fire in London interest in fire related to building insulation products surged. This fire was world-wide news and today ... Read More →
A home building company recently contacted CIMA. They were considering changing standard features to include cellulose insulation in an effort to offer greener, more energy-efficient homes. But they had heard cellulose insulation settles and wanted to know how this affected ... Read More →
The EPA proposed new rules on August 14, 2015 to further reduce emissions of methane-rich gas from municipal solid waste (MSW) landfills in the U.S. These new EPA rules will by default likely require more emphasis on recycling of paper, ... Read More →
The Bob Vila website has a very good article covering the topic of blown in insulation. Writer Benjamin Hardy does an excellent job of comparing and contrasting the top products – loose fill fiberglass, cellulose and foam – and their ... Read More →
Weather can be serious business in Ohio with hot, humid summers, cold winters, and extreme weather possible throughout the year. With such a broad climate spectrum, proper weatherization of homes is critical to reducing household energy costs. As a byproduct, ... Read More →
As much of the nation experiences another bitterly cold winter in 2015 with record snowfalls, NOAA confirms reports 2014 was the hottest year ever recorded. The annual climate report on NOAA website states: “The year 2014 was the warmest year ... Read More →
In case you missed it, which is highly likely, the congress once again extended and the president signed into law the tax credit for home energy efficiency improvements. This includes the credit of for adding home insulation. The good news: ... Read More →
Getting a home ready for winter is an annual fall event for most homeowners. The big items typically come to mind for most people interested in improving energy efficiency and lowing utility bills. Upgrading insulation, adding more caulk and replacing ... Read More →
Environmental consumerism is on the rise in the U.S. and around the globe according to a recent study by Havas PR: Because It Matters. The report was reviewed in a recent article by EnvironmentalLeader.com and recaps the study that analyzed ... Read More →
The energy efficiency goal in the design of any home is ultimately passivity. Everyone would like to have a really comfortable home interior living environment with little or no cost for heating and cooling. But what defines a truly “passive ... Read More →
The best way to achieve the highest level of energy savings in older homes is to fully insulate the total building envelope. While most homeowners often add or upgrade attics many fail to consider insulating the exterior walls. This leads ... Read More →
Scouring the web for our Summer Home Improvement tips list uncovers a few good articles from a variety of sources. We found three lists that provide a good cross section of sources from RIS Media’s real estate driven news, to ... Read More →
Life-Cycle Analysis (LCA) calculation tools can be valuable resources for designers, builders, building officials and even consumers trying to determine the environmental impact of building products and materials. These calculators are available from a variety of sources and vary in ... Read More →
The winters seem to be getting worse as climate change impacts increase. Meteorologists have even coined a new phrase “polar vortex” for the more fierce cold fronts that push the deep freezes all the way to the deep south. Regardless ... Read More →
Here at the Greenest Insulation Blog it has long been asserted the best energy saving home improvement is a well insulated house. A story at theenergycollective.com comparing the value of insulation in homes in Northern Europe confirms this premise. They ... Read More →
The Passive House Institute U.S. (PHI) no longer grants certification approval for construction projects using SPF insulation, which employ chemical agents with high Global-Warming-Costs (GWP). PHIUS’s executive director Katrin Klingenberg explained the decision: “It does not make any sense at ... Read More →
Airports and homes don’t mix and they never will. It’s an old problem that lately has been getting major attention in some cities with airports located in urban areas. All airplanes are loud and commercial jetliners are the loudest of ... Read More →
Installing cellulose insulation in a new home or upgrading an older home is a great way to improve energy efficiency and save money for years to come on home energy bills. In fact, it’s one of the quickest return on ... Read More →
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) regularly updates its Guides for the Use of Environmental Marketing Claims. The “Green Guide” outlines the guidelines and requirements for companies and marketers making claims about their products’ environmental benefits. This update by the FTC is ... Read More →
The nations leading cellulose insulation manufacturers continue to find innovative ways to convert waste paper into energy-efficient insulation products. Cellulose insulation producers stay in tune with recycled paper trends, and with obvious interest in old newsprint (ONP) supplies. Recycled newsprint ... Read More →
A television station in Texas recently ran a story about a house fire and quoted a local fire official who erroneously stated cellulose insulation contributed to the damage. This insulation fire story from Texas includes many misstatements and errors based ... Read More →
Every year millions of houses are sold in the U.S. In many cases, a professional home inspection is conducted in the transaction process. The inspection is typically paid by the purchaser although, like most everything else in real estate transactions, ... Read More →
Cellulose Insulation Manufacturers Association President Chris Hoch was a featured speaker at the White House this month. The first-ever Weatherization Supply Chain event was held June 15 as a forum to discuss the Department of Energy’s Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP.) ... Read More →
It is certainly no secret that energy costs are rising for U.S. households and businesses. While the estimates vary, studies in the past few years have put the average energy cost for the typical household ranging from 10 to as ... Read More →
Press Releases
CIMA Professionals Answer Your Insulation Questions CIMA is pleased to introduce our new Cellulose Answer Man service here on the Greenest Insulation Blog. Users on our website and the blog often send in comments and questions on a wide range ... Read More →
Welcome New Producer Member CleanFiber LLC The Cellulose Insulation Manufacturers Association is proud to welcome our newest producer member CleanFiber LLC. CleanFiber was conceived by several veteran cellulose insulation installers. They recently began production at their state-of-the-art facility in Buffalo, ... Read More →
Washington, DC (May 15, 2012)–The Cellulose Insulation Manufacturers Association (CIMA) announced a new initiative to bring the unique benefits of cellulose insulation to the attention of a wider audience. The initiative will kickoff with the debut of a major tradeshow ... Read More →
Dayton, OH (June 15, 2011)–The benefits of having a home properly insulated are readily obvious when it comes to saving energy and reducing home heating and cooling costs. Most everyone knows that having higher R-Value insulation and tighter seals makes ... Read More →
Taylorsville, KY (April 27, 2011)–David and Susan Heath of Taylorsville, Kentucky were the lucky winners drawn at random in the Cellulose Insulation Extreme Retrofit Sweepstakes that attracted several thousand visitors to www.cellulose.org and the sweepstakes contest. The couple will enjoy ... Read More →
Dayton, OH (February 10, 2010)—The Cellulose Insulation Manufacturers Association (CIMA) announced a revolutionary new concept for creating energy efficient homes that offer the best solution to minimize energy consumption, reduce the amount of paper going to landfills and limit carbon ... Read More →
DAYTON, Ohio – September 30th, 2008 – The Cellulose Insulation Manufacturers Association (CIMA) launches “Greenest of the Green” industry campaign in conjunction with a new industry website (www.cellulose.org) to educate consumers, architects, builders and contractors about cellulose insulation – the ... Read More →
2008
DAYTON, Ohio – September 30th, 2008 – The Cellulose Insulation Manufacturers Association (CIMA) launches “Greenest of the Green” industry campaign in conjunction with a new industry website (www.cellulose.org) to educate consumers, architects, builders and contractors about cellulose insulation – the ... Read More →
There seems to be a lot of myths surrounding Cellulose Insulation. Namely, that it is made from paper so it must burn easily and that because it is called “cellulose” it must be a food source for mold. Well, quite ... Read More →
A study conducted by the University of Colorado School of Architecture shows that Cellulose insulation provides a more effective barrier against air infiltration than traditional insulation materials, one of the key factors in preventing energy loss. In cold weather, research ... Read More →
2009
2010
Dayton, OH (February 10, 2010)—The Cellulose Insulation Manufacturers Association (CIMA) announced a revolutionary new concept for creating energy efficient homes that offer the best solution to minimize energy consumption, reduce the amount of paper going to landfills and limit carbon ... Read More →
2011
How To Insulate Older Home Attic With Cellulose It’s not really hard to determine whether an old home needs new attic insulation. If there is room enough to get a look in the attic it’s pretty easy to tell. Recently ... Read More →
The Cellulose Insulation Manufacturers Association (CIMA) manages the website cellulose.org as an informational resource for its members, building industry professionals and consumers. Analysis of the visitors to the website, which number in the thousands monthly, reveals some interesting trends. Over ... Read More →
It is certainly no secret that energy costs are rising for U.S. households and businesses. While the estimates vary, studies in the past few years have put the average energy cost for the typical household ranging from 10 to as ... Read More →
Electric cooperatives (co-ops), unlike other types of electric utility companies, are beholden only to their members. Essentially each customer is a member and “owner” of the company. As such, electric co-ops have always tended to be progressive and aggressive in ... Read More →
Dayton, OH (June 15, 2011)–The benefits of having a home properly insulated are readily obvious when it comes to saving energy and reducing home heating and cooling costs. Most everyone knows that having higher R-Value insulation and tighter seals makes ... Read More →
Summertime. Thoughts of cold winter months fade–and many look forward to lower monthly energy bills. But don’t forget that buzzing you will soon hear while sitting on the porch is more often from air conditioners than cicadas. ... Read More →
CIMA awarded the Extreme Insulation Retrofit to a Kentucky couple selected at random in April from the hundreds who visited the online sweepstakes. Now, CIMA is blowing the door out of the Extreme Insulation Retrofit winner’s house. Well, to clarify, ... Read More →
Taylorsville, KY (April 27, 2011)–David and Susan Heath of Taylorsville, Kentucky were the lucky winners drawn at random in the Cellulose Insulation Extreme Retrofit Sweepstakes that attracted several thousand visitors to www.cellulose.org and the sweepstakes contest. The couple will enjoy ... Read More →
2012
SUCCESSFUL ATTIC RETROFIT REQUIRES GOOD PREP The Cellulose Insulation Manufacturers Association (CIMA) recommends using a professional insulation contractor trained in the proper techniques of cellulose installation to achieve the maximum performance from an attic retrofit. However, a home owner should ... Read More →
The nations leading cellulose insulation manufacturers continue to find innovative ways to convert waste paper into energy-efficient insulation products. Cellulose insulation producers stay in tune with recycled paper trends, and with obvious interest in old newsprint (ONP) supplies. Recycled newsprint ... Read More →
A television station in Texas recently ran a story about a house fire and quoted a local fire official who erroneously stated cellulose insulation contributed to the damage. This insulation fire story from Texas includes many misstatements and errors based ... Read More →
Every year millions of houses are sold in the U.S. In many cases, a professional home inspection is conducted in the transaction process. The inspection is typically paid by the purchaser although, like most everything else in real estate transactions, ... Read More →
Cellulose Insulation Manufacturers Association President Chris Hoch was a featured speaker at the White House this month. The first-ever Weatherization Supply Chain event was held June 15 as a forum to discuss the Department of Energy’s Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP.) ... Read More →
Washington, DC (May 15, 2012)–The Cellulose Insulation Manufacturers Association (CIMA) announced a new initiative to bring the unique benefits of cellulose insulation to the attention of a wider audience. The initiative will kickoff with the debut of a major tradeshow ... Read More →
2013
Here at the Greenest Insulation Blog it has long been asserted the best energy saving home improvement is a well insulated house. A story at theenergycollective.com comparing the value of insulation in homes in Northern Europe confirms this premise. They ... Read More →
The Passive House Institute U.S. (PHI) no longer grants certification approval for construction projects using SPF insulation, which employ chemical agents with high Global-Warming-Costs (GWP). PHIUS’s executive director Katrin Klingenberg explained the decision: “It does not make any sense at ... Read More →
Airports and homes don’t mix and they never will. It’s an old problem that lately has been getting major attention in some cities with airports located in urban areas. All airplanes are loud and commercial jetliners are the loudest of ... Read More →
Installing cellulose insulation in a new home or upgrading an older home is a great way to improve energy efficiency and save money for years to come on home energy bills. In fact, it’s one of the quickest return on ... Read More →
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) regularly updates its Guides for the Use of Environmental Marketing Claims. The “Green Guide” outlines the guidelines and requirements for companies and marketers making claims about their products’ environmental benefits. This update by the FTC is ... Read More →
2014
Getting a home ready for winter is an annual fall event for most homeowners. The big items typically come to mind for most people interested in improving energy efficiency and lowing utility bills. Upgrading insulation, adding more caulk and replacing ... Read More →
Environmental consumerism is on the rise in the U.S. and around the globe according to a recent study by Havas PR: Because It Matters. The report was reviewed in a recent article by EnvironmentalLeader.com and recaps the study that analyzed ... Read More →
Adding or upgrading insulation in a home attic is the best investment for energy efficiency home improvements. But many homeowners often neglect the need for insulating their HVAC ducts. One way to achieve both is to use blown-in cellulose insulation. ... Read More →
The energy efficiency goal in the design of any home is ultimately passivity. Everyone would like to have a really comfortable home interior living environment with little or no cost for heating and cooling. But what defines a truly “passive ... Read More →
The best way to achieve the highest level of energy savings in older homes is to fully insulate the total building envelope. While most homeowners often add or upgrade attics many fail to consider insulating the exterior walls. This leads ... Read More →
Scouring the web for our Summer Home Improvement tips list uncovers a few good articles from a variety of sources. We found three lists that provide a good cross section of sources from RIS Media’s real estate driven news, to ... Read More →
Life-Cycle Analysis (LCA) calculation tools can be valuable resources for designers, builders, building officials and even consumers trying to determine the environmental impact of building products and materials. These calculators are available from a variety of sources and vary in ... Read More →
The winters seem to be getting worse as climate change impacts increase. Meteorologists have even coined a new phrase “polar vortex” for the more fierce cold fronts that push the deep freezes all the way to the deep south. Regardless ... Read More →
2015
The EPA proposed new rules on August 14, 2015 to further reduce emissions of methane-rich gas from municipal solid waste (MSW) landfills in the U.S. These new EPA rules will by default likely require more emphasis on recycling of paper, ... Read More →
There are a variety of building insulation products on the market. They are all designed with the primary function of saving energy in homes and buildings. The basic measure of effectiveness by which all building insulation products are measured is ... Read More →
A high percentage of homes in the U.S. have siding and of those vinyl continues to be the most common choice. Data from the Census Bureau’s Survey of Construction (SOC), shows vinyl (including vinyl-covered aluminum) was the most common exterior ... Read More →
The Bob Vila website has a very good article covering the topic of blown in insulation. Writer Benjamin Hardy does an excellent job of comparing and contrasting the top products – loose fill fiberglass, cellulose and foam – and their ... Read More →
Weather can be serious business in Ohio with hot, humid summers, cold winters, and extreme weather possible throughout the year. With such a broad climate spectrum, proper weatherization of homes is critical to reducing household energy costs. As a byproduct, ... Read More →
Many residents and businesses are compiling spring cleaning lists as most of the nation thaws from one of the coldest and snowiest winters on record. Spring should also trigger energy-efficiency and safety checklists including the often forgot attic insulation. Here ... Read More →
As much of the nation experiences another bitterly cold winter in 2015 with record snowfalls, NOAA confirms reports 2014 was the hottest year ever recorded. The annual climate report on NOAA website states: “The year 2014 was the warmest year ... Read More →
In case you missed it, which is highly likely, the congress once again extended and the president signed into law the tax credit for home energy efficiency improvements. This includes the credit of for adding home insulation. The good news: ... Read More →
The music equipment and recording business is estimated at $7 billion world-wide. That includes thousands of “garage bands.” With a new focus in the industry on DIY and independent home recording, opportunities for the amateur artist to be heard on ... Read More →
2016
Insulating walls in a home or building is critical to achieving high energy efficiency. A big factor in the effectiveness is how well the wall cavity is sealed by the insulation. Fiberglass batts do not create an effective seal. Over ... Read More →
One of the critical areas where homes lose energy efficiency is at the attic access hatch. Regardless of the insulation product type used, air leaks from a poorly insulated attic access will result in higher heating and cooling bills. This ... Read More →
The concept of Net-Zero Energy homes appears to be moving forward toward main stream. California is leading the nation with a goal of having all new homes constructed by 2020 achieving net-zero under its Residential ZNE Plan. Builders and homeowners ... Read More →
As the globe turns toward summer on the North American Continent the sun changes the equation for home energy efficiency. The number one way to save energy, money and the environment this summer: Manage The Thermostat. The best way to ... Read More →
A home building company recently contacted CIMA. They were considering changing standard features to include cellulose insulation in an effort to offer greener, more energy-efficient homes. But they had heard cellulose insulation settles and wanted to know how this affected ... Read More →
2017
Watch Penny Burn In Wad Of Cellulose Insulation This very short video by Sean Maxwell has been around for a while but still provides a demonstration worth watching. CIMA does not recommend anyone attempting to replicate this demonstration. That said, ... Read More →
Maryland Fire & Rescue Institute Home Insulation Fire Video One of the most dramatic fire tests to compare the characteristics of various types of insulation in large simulated home fires was conducted in 1998 at the Maryland Fire & Safety ... Read More →
Watch Test Comparing Fires For Cellulose Insulation & Fiberglass Insulation Here is another video that demonstrates the characteristic differences between cellulose insulation and fiberglass insulation. Titled “The Big Burn” by its producers, the video is not a true scientific controlled ... Read More →
Nebraska fire demonstrates cellulose insulation fire control characteristics Cellulose insulation is designed to save homeowners money by making their homes more energy efficient. It also has a Class 1 fire rating and is designed to save their homes in a ... Read More →
Fire Test Videos Show Results For Cellulose & Fiberglass Insulation Products In the wake of the horrific June 2017 high rise fire in London interest in fire related to building insulation products surged. This fire was world-wide news and today ... Read More →
Cellulose Insulation Is Perfect For Insulating Walls Larry Janesky and his company Dr. Energy Saver Home Services specialize in cellulose insulation. They have produced an excellent video on the process for retrofitting the walls in an older home with dense ... Read More →
2018
NRDC and the National Housing Trust Suggest Avoiding Foam Chemicals A report released by Energy Efficiency for All, a partnership of Non Governmental Agencies (NGOs) that includes the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) and National Housing Trust, cautions home builders ... Read More →
China Accepting Less U.S. Recycling Means Paper For Cellulose China is curtailing the amount of recycling material it accepts from the United States. This continues to be a pressing problem since the U.S. has shipped much of its recycled paper, ... Read More →
Reports Expose CFCs In Chinese Made Foam Insulation News reports broke this recently about the discovery of foam insulation manufactured in China that includes CFCs. According to the lead report by the Environmental Investigation Agency, now carried in several highly ... Read More →
Nanowood Has Lignin Removed Making It Less Heat Conductive We are always on the lookout for new trends in green building materials here on the CIMA blog.A story broke about an innovative new product called “Nanowood” caught our attention. Liangbing ... Read More →
Cellulose Insulation Has Industry’s Highest Recycled Content World-wide the amount of construction related waste continues to increase as growth booms in developed and emerging economies both. The need for recycling construction waste, and for innovative construction products that use recycled ... Read More →
2019
Here Is How To Determine Current Home Attic R-Value One of the most common questions homeowners ask is how to determine the R-Value of their current attic insulation. This typically results when a homeowner begins to think about improving their ... Read More →
Construction With Wood-Based Products Traps Carbon The U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service established a $1 million in fund designated for supporting the construction of mass timber projects on college campuses across the country. The initiative is designed to simulate ... Read More →
New White Board Video Simplifies Passive House Concept There have been a few articles on the Greenest Insulation Blog that recognize the Passive House topic. It’s actually a very basic concept where, according to Wikipedia: A house that is designed ... Read More →
How To Avoid Common Attic Insulation DIY Project Injuries One of the most popular Do-It-Yourself energy efficiency projects for homeowners is adding insulation in the attics of their homes. But it can often lead to injuries when the proper precautions ... Read More →
Renovation of the historic Haynes Pictures Shop included Cellulose Insulation Cellulose insulation has been around at least since the time of Jefferson’s Monticello when old newspapers were used to insulate the famed mansion. Since that time, the product has evolved ... Read More →
We often recognize new innovative green products here on the Greenest Insulation Blog. There have been a few announced using cellulose for alternative products recently that appear to have promise and worth sharing. Many people are surprised to learn that ... Read More →
Welcome New Producer Member CleanFiber LLC The Cellulose Insulation Manufacturers Association is proud to welcome our newest producer member CleanFiber LLC. CleanFiber was conceived by several veteran cellulose insulation installers. They recently began production at their state-of-the-art facility in Buffalo, ... Read More →
Those Beautiful Icicles Likely A Sign Of Bad Attic Insulation The 2019 winter prediction report mentioned here on the Greenest Insulation Blog has proven to be very accurate. A cold and wet winter continues across most of the U.S. One ... Read More →
Fiberlite Technologies Appoints Patricia Grubb CIMA producer member Fiberlite Technologies has promoted long-time employee Patricia Grubb to head the company’s production plant in Joplin, Missouri as General Manager. She is one of just a few woman to hold such a ... Read More →
Snow melting quick on house roof can indicate attic insulation deficiencies. While in the midst of winter it is often too late to add insulation to home attics, snowfalls can actually help to identify potential deficiencies that can be corrected ... Read More →
The CIMA producer member company Advance Fiber Technology was recently recognized in their local Ohio newspaper for many years of providing high-quality products. Advance Fiber is a family business founded in the mid 1970s by Dick Leuthold and sons Doug ... Read More →
2020
Cellulose Answer Man: Your Source For Information Sam asks: Are calculations of thickness for the depth just after installation or after it has settled for 3-4 years as mine has. Original depth was 16 inches, now it is about 12 ... Read More →
Cellulose Insulation Protects Homeowners During House Fires Among the many benefits of cellulose insulation, beyond its core insulating properties, is the extra fire safety it provides to homeowners. In many cases home fires start as silent events, often in the ... Read More →
An article out this week from Canada provides an excellent example of how to design a zero-carbon footprint building. It aligns well with the “carbon-sink” concept first mentioned here on the Greenest Insulation Blog in 2010 and with the new ... Read More →
It’s encouraging to see the American Institute of Architects (AIA) launching their BLUEPRINT FOR BETTER initiative with the goal of reducing “climate change and inequities in the built environment.” That’s a fancy way of saying improve design in the construction ... Read More →
Recent Article Lists 10 Best Ways to Go Green in Home Build or Remodel Geoff Spitzer’s article in the New Hampshire Business Review caught the eye of the Greenest Insulation Blog. This insightful piece offers an excellent list of items ... Read More →
News Article Attests To Insulation Upgrade Savings The first sign of coming colder weather typically leads many homeowners to start thinking (once again in most cases) of upgrading their home insulation. There are many examples online of how much savings ... Read More →
Cellulose Answer Man: Your Source For Information Justin asks: My home currently has spray foam insulation on all outer walls. (including under my roof in the attic.) I wanted to add blown in cellulose in the attic for more soundproofing ... Read More →
Cellulose Answer Man: Your Source For Information Paul C. posed an interesting question: I am a contractor working with cellulose to put into ceilings for builders in Australia. We have currently been questioned on the issue of the weight limitations ... Read More →
Cellulose Insulation Slow House Fire Spread By Design One the most misunderstood characteristic of cellulose insulation is it’s ability to slow the spread of flames in home and building fires. Cellulose Insulation is treated with boric acid and designed specifically ... Read More →
Cellulose Answer Man: Your Source For Information Glenda. asked: I was told by a termite that the cellulose insulation on the concrete walls under my house attracted termites. Is that true? (Should have said termite company. I do not really ... Read More →
Cellulose Answer Man: Your Source For Information Darrel S. asked: Why were each of the tests (in the videos on website) done without a wall finish, such as gypsum board? The addition of gypsum board might change the temperature of ... Read More →
Cellulose Answer Man: Your Source For Information Vassilios C. asked: Hello. Since boric acid is registered as toxic are there any studies on possible volatile organic compounds in cellulose? Thanks. Answer: Numerous cellulose insulation products have been tested per California ... Read More →
We continue to see more great examples of energy efficient home projects that include cellulose insulation in their design. One of the best is a Home and Barn project from Vermont featured in a story on Poptimes News. The home ... Read More →
Cellulose Insulation is part of “The Pretty Good House” Concept Finding ways to reduce climate change and global warming impacts is a universal need around the world today. Many in the building industry continue to work on improving new home ... Read More →
Cellulose Answer Man: Your Source For Information Dan R. asked: Looking for some recommendations on blown in cellulose – do you know of any reps in the Pacific Northwest who could help answer some questions? There seems to be a ... Read More →
Cellulose Answer Man: Your Source For Information Aaron F. asked: I had brand new electrical installed in my 2nd floor. Can I cover 1900 and 11b boxes that run along my floor in the attic? I also have 16 x ... Read More →
Cellulose Answer Man: Your Source For Information Michael D. asked: I know even with dense packed cellulose in the walls, it will settle because of building movements. ?Will that cause any problems for even 1/2 inch of settlement in the ... Read More →
Cellulose Answer Man: Your Source For Information Gared E. asked: Can cellulose insulation be installed directly to the roof sheathing without baffles or an air gap. There are installed roof and soffit vents as if the house was to have ... Read More →
CIMA Professionals Answer Your Insulation Questions CIMA is pleased to introduce our new Cellulose Answer Man service here on the Greenest Insulation Blog. Users on our website and the blog often send in comments and questions on a wide range ... Read More →
CIMA Producers Support Recycling Programs Cellulose Insulation, made from up to 85% recycled paper, has the highest percentage of recycled content among common building materials used in the United States. This emphasis on recycled material in the production of cellulose ... Read More →
Cellulose Insulation Environmental Product Declaration Published The Cellulose Insulation Manufacturers Association and the Cellulose Insulation Manufacturers Association of Canada, trade associations for producers of cellulose thermal/acoustical insulation in North America, and Sustainable Minds, a leading provider of products and services ... Read More →
The Facts On Cellulose Insulation & Vapor Barriers We receive many questions on the CIMA website Contact Us form every month. A recent one on cellulose insulation and air/vapor barriers (one of a flurry on the topic) tipped the scale ... Read More →
For many homeowners, proper attic insulation is a common concern and an easy target for improving energy efficiency. Most older homes, and even many newer ones, simply lack the proper amount of insulation in their attics. However, there are many ... Read More →
2021
Cellulose Answer Man: Your Source For Information Jason A asks: I have a question about the adhesive properties of wet spray cellulose insulation. Specifically, does wet spray cellulose insulation permanently self-adhere to the substrate? And can wet spray cellulose insulation ... Read More →
Cellulose Insulation Perfect Fit For National Recycle Day Cellulose Insulation is the leader in recycled building products and the perfect fit for participating in National Recycling Day…and every day! No other building insulation (or just about any other building product) ... Read More →
Cellulose Answer Man: Your Source For Information Timmy asks: I am a building maintenance teacher in southern WV. My students are going to exit my class in an area of a lot of old homes that do not currently have ... Read More →
How To Handle Fires In Buildings With Cellulose Insulation Cellulose insulation is an easily misunderstood building material. It is made from paper fibers, so it is an organic material. Left untreated, organic materials are combustible. Some other common insulation materials ... Read More →
Cellulose Answer Man: Your Source For Information Joey asks: I have a customer looking for Ecologo certification for Cellulose insulation. Can you please provide me with either testing or a certificate? Answer: ECOLOGO is an Underwriters Laboratories program documenting the ... Read More →
Cellulose Answer Man: Your Source For Information Nick asks: Hi, I am looking to set up some kind of learning opportunity for my firm to learn more about dense-packed cellulose best practices. We do a lot of commercial projects and ... Read More →
Homeowners Often Forget Walls When Updating Insulation Updating the insulation in older homes is critical to making living spaces more comfortable and monthly energy bills more manageable. Unfortunately, most homeowners only think as far as the attic forgetting to consider ... Read More →
Cellulose Answer Man: Your Source For Information Julie asks: Hi, I just want to ask if it is possible to dense pack blown in cellulose into a garage ceiling which already has existing 60 year old batt insulation. I have ... Read More →
More Examples of Cellulose Insulation Controlling Fire Spread In Homes We continue to monitor the news for reports of home and building fires where cellulose insulation is in use. A couple stories recently offer yet more good examples of how ... Read More →
Cellulose Answer Man: Your Source For Information Jennifer asks: Can I install cellulose blown in insulation over batt insulation with tears in the vapor barrier? I was air sealing my attic and had to tear the vapor insulation to reach ... Read More →
Cellulose Answer Man: Your Source For Information Cheryl asks: Hello, I’m building a new house and I’m trying to decide between dense pack and wet spray cellulose in my 2×6 walls. I’m also trying to decide weather to use closed ... Read More →
Cellulose Answer Man: Your Source For Information Troy asks: I’m going to install Applegate cellulose insulation in the exterior walls and attic of my new house. I live in Central Nebraska. Do I need a vapor retarder like Membrain with ... Read More →
Cellulose Insulation Slowed Canada Condominium Fire Fires in any dwelling can be dangerous to occupants and lead to extensive damage and even total property loss. In condominiums and other types of attached dwellings the spread of fire to adjacent units ... Read More →
2022
Cellulose Insulation Makes Sense Earth Day & Every Day With fears of global warming and climate change fast approaching a tipping point, the intent of Earth Day has never been more relevant. Conceived in 1969 at a UNESCO conference held ... Read More →
Made in America is much harder to do that to say. The advent of globalization has clouded the “Made in the USA” tag for much of the manufacturing in the nation. Cellulose Insulation Manufacturers Association producer member companies and their ... Read More →
Weather and timing play a factor for homeowners considering replacing or upgrading insulation in the attic. Homeowners with attic insulation problems begin to notice discomfort in their homes and increasing energy bills as seasonal temperature extremes exceed attic insulation capabilities. ... Read More →
Cellulose Answer Man: Your Source For Information John S asks: I’ve never gone up in my attic right in the spring before and this year I did to install some new lighting. I am noticing that my cellulose insulation feels ... Read More →
Cellulose Answer Man: Your Source For Information Ray asks: When my house was built in 1978, blown in insulation was used. Out at the end of the roof rafters where it meets the soffit, a 10 inch piece of faced ... Read More →
Misinformation On Moisture And Cellulose Insulation A quick scan online of recent articles listing the pros and cons of cellulose insulation show how pervasive inaccurate myths persist about one of the most popular types of building insulation. Cellulose insulation is ... Read More →
Cellulose Answer Man: Your Source For Information Kelvin D asks: In order to achieve the best sound dampen through installation of cellulose between my basement and first floor, should I dense pack the material to the tune of 3.5 lb/ft^3. ... Read More →
Cellulose Insulation Manufacturers Association
