Cellulose insulation

A homeowner building a new house in Wisconsin posted a question on a building forum about insulation choices. The house has rockwool insulation on the exterior, and the owner chose cellulose insulation for the interior walls instead of rockwool. Cellulose is made mostly from recycled paper fiber and is often sprayed or blown into wall cavities. The homeowner picked it because it's easier to spray in place, and they understand it can help protect wood framing from rot and handle moisture better than some alternatives.

The specific question raised is about "clean fiber" cellulose, a version made from recycled cardboard boxes rather than newsprint. The homeowner is interested in this type because it can be made without ammonia and without certain contaminants sometimes found in standard cellulose. They're asking whether this cardboard-based product actually performs better, and whether the company making it is financially stable and reliable, since a new or small manufacturer going out of business could be a concern for a new-construction project.

For homeowners considering insulation options, this points to a real distinction worth knowing about: cellulose insulation can vary by source material and by additives like fire retardants, and some manufacturers now offer versions with fewer chemical treatments. If you're weighing insulation for your own home, it may be worth asking what raw material a cellulose product is made from and whether it uses ammonia-based or ammonia-free treatments, since that can affect indoor air quality and odor.