"u4ick" wrote in message
...
Builder has given us choice of either fiberglass or cellulose insulation
for walls in new house construction. Which is better? He told us the
cellulose has a slightly higher R factor and makes the walls air tight.
Does the cellulose settle more than the fiberglass? Is cellulose more
prone to having mold or insect problems?

any help would be appreciated

thanks

u4ick
--
-Laissez Les Bon Temps Rouler-


which is better for you will depend on many factors

if one has a higher r value, you can always add more of the other to
equalize

some of the differences mentioned in some of my previous posts he

Cellulose:
settles and also causes *visible* dust in your house 24/7 when not entirely
sealed from the interior of your house (tough to do, hvac ducting
breaks down over time and breathes, then cellulose gets in it
and ultimately into your house);
cellulose is usually recycled newspaper with fire retardent added;
cellulose can be about a 30% radiant barrier;
cellulose seals against (stops) wind blowing through your house/walls
if cellulose gets wet it is destroyed
cellulose is not carcinogenic (doesn't cause cancer)


Fiberglass:
can cause *invisible* "dust" in a house (see links below - also, look inside
a fiberglass insulated attic at night with a flashlight, while wearing an
appropriate breathing mask - you will see millions of tiny particles
floating around in the air = fiberglass);
fiberglass is glass fibers;
fiberglass doesn't seal against the wind blowing through your house/walls;
fiberglass is not a radiant barrier;
fiberglass can be dried and reused if it gets wet;
fiberglass can be carcinogenic (can cause cancer)

"the state of California does require that fiberglass be labeled as a
potential carcinogen" http://www.nqinc.com/faq2.html
[carcinogen meaning it can cause cancer - some people in advanced stages of
cancer remove all fiberglass ffrom their homes and go back in with
cellulose, which is not a carcinogen]

"Overall shoddy construction standards on today's mass-produced homes
further increase the odds that there is some amount of fiberglass in your
home environment.."
http://www.sustainableenterprises.co.../sleuthing.htm


mo

http://www.nqinc.com/faq2.html


according to dr. hulda clark (cancer expert, who has already been slammed on
this discussion group and by the medical industry in general) at:

http://www.drhuldaclark.org/therapy_cleanup_home.asp

"Fiberglass insulation has microscopically small bits of glass that are free
to blow into the air. When house drafts pull it into the air you will inhale
them. They cut their way through your lungs and organs like millions of tiny
knives, spreading through your body, since there is no way out for them. You
smell nothing and feel nothing. This makes it a very sinister poison. Your
body, though, recognizes these sharp, pointed bits and tries to stop their
spread by sequestering them in cysts.

Most solid malignant [i.e. cancerous] tumors contain fiberglass or asbestos,
another glass-like particle. In nearly all cases a hole can be found in the
ceiling or walls, leading to fiberglass insulated parts of the house. When
these holes are sealed in an air-tight manner the house air no longer is
positive for fiberglass. Covering with paneling is not sufficient. Check
your dwelling for uncovered fiberglass. Repair immediately. Search for small
screw holes intended for pictures, or electric outlet plates that are
missing.

Also remove fiberglass jackets from water heater and fiberglass filter from
furnace. Replace with foain or carbon. Best of all, hire a crew to remove it
all from your home, and replace insulation with blown-in shredded paper
[cellulose] or other innocuous substance.

Never build a new house using fiberglass for any purpose."

dr. clark also recommends against the use of galvanized pipe (pvc is
recommended) or copper pipe (or lead solder used to join copper pipe,
prevalant up until 1988 or so) in homes, as they can be poisonous to humans