Dense-pack Cellulose Insulation
Method
Assembly
Part
Prompt
Can insulation provide more than just R-value?
Findings
There are many reasons to love dense-pack cellulose insulation. It is made of recycled paper and sequesters carbon (lots of it). It fills nooks and crannies and actually reduces the convective air loops that can otherwise undermine the effectiveness of cavity insulation. And it is treated with borates to make it resistant to mold, pests, and fire. From a building science perspective, the material is hygroscopic, meaning it will absorb and redistribute moisture over time. Combined with its tendency to block air currents, this makes dense-pack cellulose ideal in thick wall assemblies where we do not want moist interior air hitting a cold layer of sheathing.
Related assemblies
Related building methods
Sunken Down
Digging below grade can be a challenging and intrusive way to build, so we rely on robust detailing.
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On Grade
Building on grade is a medium-intensity method that can be simple, but requires a flat building pad.
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Raised Up
A home elevated on piers is a very light touch on the site and can outperform other building methods.
