Shredding & Cellulose Insulation
Insulating your home is one of the most important and money-saving steps you can take. Filling cavities in the walls, ceilings, and open spaces in the attic area with cellulose provides necessary insulation with increased R-value ratings. Paper shredding is the method used to make this type of insulation, and newspaper is the usual source for the material needed. Does this Spark an idea?
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What Is Cellulose Insulation?
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The majority of commercially sold cellulose insulation consists of recycled paper, which is mainly derived from newspaper. The process to make this insulating material consists of shredding the paper and treating it with a flame-retardant chemical. This last step ensures that shredded paper will not present a fire hazard when installed in and around combustible building materials, such as wood and drywall.
Application of Cellulose Insulation
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Cellulose insulation is sold and used in either a dry or wet form. Dry cellulose is typically blown into cavities using air pressure to distribute the shredded paper in order to create a dense, compacted layer or cavity fill. Wet cellulose insulation application depends on the use of water injection to form a solid, moistened mass that can be applied as a cavity filler or directly onto interior surfaces such as drywall or roof sheathing. This mixture is often coupled with an adhesive that helps bond the shredded paper to the surfaces being sprayed.
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Safety Factors and Cellulose Insulation
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One of the concerns about safety and health issues regarding paper shredding and insulation is the amount of dust created when cellulose insulation is applied. The steps taken by manufacturers of cellulose insulation to address this issue include two specific products known as “low-dust” cellulose. The first is created by adding an oil-based solution to the shredded paper; it is used as a loose-fill insulation. The second is known as stabilized cellulose, which generally requires special application equipment that generates a water mist to lessen the amount of dust created when the shredded paper cellulose insulation is applied.
Insulation Characteristics of Shredded Paper
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Cellulose insulation attains an R-38 value when applied properly. This means that shredded paper meets required insulating standards within each 3.8 inches of applied insulation. This R-value is attained regardless of how densely the material is applied, and a 10-inch layer in an open area such as an attic is the minimum standard to achieve this insulating value. The Federal Trade Commission requires cellulose insulation manufacturers to label each bag of their product with the R-value rating, categorized by the settled density of the insulation after it has been applied. Shredded paper cellulose insulation also maintains its R-value at cold temperatures. This material will retain a higher R-value in an attic that drops to 20 degrees Fahrenheit below zero than in an attic that is 70 F above zero.
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References
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