Spray Foam vs. Cellulose Insulation: Which Is Best for Your Home?

Are you tired of rising heating and cooling bills or uneven temperatures and comfort levels in your Manchester, VT or Keene, NH home? Upgrading your home’s insulation can have a dramatic effect on your HVAC system’s efficiency, saving you money, and you’ll provide year-round, whole home comfort for you and your family.

But which insulation material is going to provide the most benefit to your house? Today, let’s examine the pros and cons of two popular insulation types: spray foam and cellulose.

The Pros and Cons of Spray Foam Insulation

Spray foam insulation is a polyurethane foam that is often “sprayed” (hence the name) onto the areas of your home that you’re looking to protect from heat losses and gains. As it dries, it hardens into a protective coating that not only offers superior R-value and insulating properties, but acts as a moisture and air barrier as well.

Pros:

  • High R-value

  • Protects against air and water

  • Great for sealing and insulating hard to reach or awkward shaped areas

Cons:

  • Higher cost

  • Less environmentally friendly than other insulation types

While spray foam can be used in a number of different areas of your home, you’ll often see it used for basement insulation (because of the concern over moisture). Another common application is installing spray foam onto the roofline for attic insulation.

The Pros and Cons of Cellulose Insulation

Cellulose insulation is an eco-friendly insulation made primarily out of recycled newspaper that’s been treated to be fire and mold resistant. Cellulose can be installed in two ways: as dense packed insulation in existing walls, or as loose fill insulation spread over attic floors.

Pros:

  • Environmentally friendly

  • Inexpensive

  • Fire-resistant

Cons:

  • Vulnerable to moisture damage

  • Can “settle” and lose R-value over time

Save More on Your Insulation Upgrades with Efficiency Vermont Rebates

Still struggling to figure out which insulation type would be best for your home? At Vermont Foam Insulation, our team of insulation experts has years of experience helping homeowners find solutions related to low comfort and high energy bills, and we’ll work within your budget to find an effective solution for you. Reach out today to schedule your home energy audit, which evaluates your current insulation levels and helps identify where upgrades are needed.

Not only will we help you reduce your heating and cooling bills moving forward, but we’ll also help you qualify for energy efficiency insulation rebates that significantly lower the upfront costs of home improvement work. With Efficiency Vermont’s Home Performance with ENERGY STAR (HPwES) program, you can save as much as $5,500—75% off—on qualifying insulation work, as well as 0% home energy loans. 

Reduce energy costs and improve home comfort. Call 802-367-3113 or contact us for help finding the right insulation upgrade for your Vermont or New Hampshire home.

Unsure what insulation type is the right choice for your home?

Vermont Foam Insulation will help you choose.

802-367-3113
Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.

GET STARTED TODAY

What Our Customers Are Saying