Insulation Services - TruSoft Cellulose Insulation

TruSoft Cellulose insulation is created from recycled paper stock, including newspapers, magazines, and cardboard. This makes up approximately 85% of our TruSoft cellulose insulation. A two-stage process injects dry as well as liquid fire retardants that penetrate and actually strengthen the fibers while providing a permanent flame resistance. This fire retardant is made of borate, a natural element in the earth used in eyewash and contact lens solution. An added benefit of using borate is that borate is a natural mold, rodent and insect inhibitor which means it will deter pests from the insulation and they will not use it to make their homes out of. There is also a stabilizer (adhesive) component in our TruSoft insulation that prevents windwashing (Wind washing is the movement of unconditioned air around or through buildings in such a way as to diminish or nullify the intended thermal performance of the home.) TruSoft cellulose delivers a superior “R-value” per inch.

Now that you know what our TruSoft cellulose is composed of, let’s discuss the purpose of this particular form of insulation. TruSoft is denser than fiberglass insulation, making TruSoft much more effective in stopping air leakage than fiberglass. TruSoft cellulose insulation helps buildings and homes stay warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer by very effectively controlling all 3 methods of heat transfer:

Convective – transfer of heat from one place to another by fluid movements
Conductive – 2 objects of different temperatures contact one another. Heat flows from warmer to cooler until they are at the same temperature.
Radiant – transfer of energy through electromagnetic waves emitted by any material object as a consequence of temperature.

This use of TruSoft insulation for a thermal purpose can cause home and businesses to be much more comfortable to be in and less expensive in heating and cooling bills (operation and maintenance). Research has shown that cellulose insulation can provide up to 50% better performance than fiberglass. A good example of thermal insulation would be what we refer to as an open blow, such as in an attic. This is done by blowing the TruSoft cellulose out of a hose (approximately 3 inches) into an open area. It doesn’t settle, it keeps its fluffy look to it. The R-value of an open blow for TruSoft cellulose is 3.6 per inch. For a quick comparison, the R-value of an open blow of fiberglass insulation has an R-value of 2.2 per inch. Fiberglass batts (what people are used to seeing, either in yellow or pink) have an R-value of 3.1 per inch.

There is also acoustical insulation, which we commonly refer to as Dense Packing. This is generally done in walls. An advantage of TruSoft cellulose insulation versus fiberglass batts is simply the agility of TruSoft. TruSoft insulation can go around things such as ductwork, plumbing, and even wiring without endangering the effectiveness and R-value. It’s difficult to get Fiberglass bats into many gaps and odd-shaped voids in a home. Dense packing the walls gives an R-value of 3 per inch.

Aside from what the R-value is, and how it insulates your home compared to other products there are other ideas to consider. Is it corrosive when wet? What about building codes? Fire safety? Sound control? Overall health and indoor air quality? Let’s investigate!

TruSoft cellulose is tested and certified to be non-corrosive. The test regimen includes aluminum, steel, and copper. When properly installed, TruSoft insulation meets the following building code requirements for thermal insulating materials: BOCA, CABO, ICBO, ICC, SBCCI and the Model Energy Code. TruSoft cellulose insulation also has a Class A fire rating, the flame spread rating is between 0 and 25 meaning that while a wallcovering will certainly burn if it has a rating of Class A, that means that it reduces how quickly the fire spreads. There are three classifications, A through C.

TruSoft cellulose also complies with standards that require less than 15% weight gain under test conditions for moisture absorption. Normal relative humidity variations do not adversely affect the cellulose insulation.

TruSoft insulation does not contain fiberglass, formaldehyde or other materials that are frequently associated with increased health concerns. There are no OSHA cancer warnings, no glass fibers contained in the insulation, nor any formaldehyde as previously mentioned.

Finally, TruSoft cellulose insulation is an excellent choice for sound reduction through walls, floors, and ceilings. The following Sound Transmission Class (STC) ratings demonstrate its effectiveness in reducing noise. The higher the STC number, the greater the reduction in sound:

Cellulose insulated wall: 44 STC
Fiberglass insulated wall: 39 STC
Uninsulated wall: 35 STC

If you're ready to schedule a free home comfort evaluation, please give our office a call at 1-607-821-0519.