How is Paper Shredded to Make Cellulose Insulation?
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Why Use Cellulose Insulation?
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Cellulose insulation is generally made from recycled newspapers soaked in fire retardant. Cellulose insulation recycles paper, saves you money by helping keep energy costs down and works so you feel cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter.
Turning Paper Into Insulation
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According to the Cellulose Insulation Manufacturers Association, it takes little energy to manufacture cellulose insulation compared to fiberglass and foam insulations. Newspapers are first chopped into small pieces that are about 1 inch square. These small pieces are then "fiberized" or broken down to individual fibers. The result is a low-density material that weighs about 1.5 lbs. per cubic foot. A lower density also means you will get better insulating value.
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Making It Fire Retardent
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Once the paper is shredded, it is treated with sodium borate, boric acid or ammonium sulfate. This does not fireproof the paper, but it makes it fire resistant. It also keeps the insects, rodents and mold from establishing themselves in your insulation. It also adds about 20 percent to the weight of the product. The insulation can then be blown into wall, floor and attic spaces. Blowing in insulation takes two people: one feeds the clumped cellulose into a hopper which breaks it up so it can be blown in and the second person holds the nozzle to direct where the cellulose is going.
Damp-Spray Insulation
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Cellulose insulation can be applied using damp spray. The fibers are aerated and then mixed with a small amount of water as it is blown into the wall cavities. The moisture allows the fibers to bind to each other and the walls. Once blown in, the contractor will use a roller to level the insulation so that it is even with the edges of the wall studs. The insulation is then allowed to dry for a few days before drywall is installed.
Mesh Insulation
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A variation on damp-spray cellulose is to install a plastic mesh across the open wall cavity and blow the cellulose through the mesh. Moisture is not needed with this method and the drywall can be installed immediately instead of having to wait for days.
Dense-Pack Cellulose
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Dense-pack cellulose is used when the cavity is already closed. The density of the material is kept about roughly 3 lbs. per cubic foots as it is blown into small openings at the top of a wall. This higher density will not settle, but you lose some of the insulating properties. This is a popular way to add insulation when retrofitting a property.
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