Five Reasons Why Wood Fiber Insulation Can Save You Money and Make You Feel Good
When it comes to insulating your home, the options can seem endless. Traditional insulation materials like fiberglass, cellulose, or spray foam are widely known, but there’s a rising star in the industry—wood fiber insulation. Made from renewable resources and packed with environmental and economic benefits, wood fiber insulation is more than just a sustainable choice. It’s an investment that can save you money and make you feel good about the impact you’re having on the planet.
Wood Fiber Insulation in a Roseville, MN attic
1. Long-Term Energy Efficiency Compared to Fiberglass
Fiberglass insulation is a common go-to because of its low upfront cost, but its performance can diminish over time due to settling and degradation. In contrast, wood fiber insulation provides superior thermal performance with stable R-values that remain consistent over the years. This means it keeps your home’s temperature more stable throughout the year, minimizing energy loss and lowering your heating and cooling costs.
2. Superior Moisture Management Over Spray Foam
One of the most significant advantages of wood fiber insulation is its ability to manage moisture naturally. While spray foam is often marketed as an air-tight solution, it seals off spaces so tightly that moisture can become trapped inside wall cavities, leading to condensation issues and even mold growth. In contrast, wood fiber is a vapor-open material, which allows moisture to escape while preventing water from accumulating. This creates a healthier home environment and reduces the likelihood of costly moisture-related repairs
And it’s much much more affordable. Need we say more?
3. Healthier Than Foam-Based Products
Many spray foam products contain chemicals like isocyanates, which can be hazardous to human health if not handled properly. These chemicals can off-gas into your home over time, contributing to poor indoor air quality. Fiberglass, while less toxic, can still irritate the skin and lungs during installation and over time. Wood fiber insulation, on the other hand, is made from natural, renewable materials—primarily softwood chips—and doesn’t contain any harmful substances. Its borate treatment is a non-toxic way to improve fire resistance and inhibit mold and mildew, offering a healthier indoor environment without the risks associated with chemical-based insulations.
4. Acoustic and Thermal Comfort Beyond What Fiberglass Offers
In addition to its excellent thermal performance, wood fiber insulation also provides superior acoustic benefits. If you live in a noisy neighborhood or want to block out sounds from nearby traffic, wood fiber insulation’s dense structure can absorb and dampen sound far more effectively than lightweight materials like fiberglass. This not only makes your home more energy-efficient but also creates a quieter, more peaceful indoor environment.
5. Embodied Carbon and Carbon Sequestration: A Climate-Positive Choice
One of the major advantages of wood fiber insulation is its role in reducing embodied carbon and sequestering carbon, making it a climate-positive option. Unlike foam-based insulation, which is produced through energy-intensive processes that contribute to high embodied carbon, wood fiber insulation is made from renewable softwood chips, a natural by-product of the lumber industry. This not only results in a low-carbon manufacturing process but also turns the insulation itself into a carbon storage unit. As trees grow, they absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, and this carbon remains stored in the wood even after it’s processed into insulation. By using wood fiber, you’re effectively locking away carbon in your home for the lifespan of the material, reducing your building’s overall carbon footprint and helping to combat climate change.
With its durability, moisture management, natural insulating properties, and carbon smart benefits, wood fiber insulation delivers on all fronts—saving you money over the life of your home while making you feel good about the choices you’ve made for both your home and the planet.
The Smart Choice for Your Wallet and Your Peace of Mind
While traditional insulation materials like fiberglass and spray foam have their place in the market, wood fiber insulation outshines them when it comes to long-term cost savings, durability, health benefits, and environmental impact. By choosing wood fiber, you not only enhance the energy efficiency of your home, which leads to lower utility bills, but you also ensure that you’re making a choice that supports a healthier indoor environment and a more sustainable future.