Top 3 Home Insulations: Spray Foam, Blown-in Cellulose, & Fiberglass

Introduction


Choosing the right insulation for your home is not just a matter of cost—it's about comfort, energy efficiency, and creating a sustainable living environment. Inadequate insulation leads to energy waste, higher utility bills, and discomfort during extreme temperatures. Additionally, poor insulation can contribute to moisture accumulation, fostering mold growth that can compromise indoor air quality and structural integrity.


This article will explore the top three insulation types: spray foam, blown-in cellulose, and fiberglass, with a particular emphasis on why spray foam and blown-in cellulose might be the superior choices for most homes. Both options provide excellent moisture control, preventing mold while ensuring your home stays warm in winter and cool in summer.


Spray Foam Insulation: Enhancing Home Efficiency and Strength


Overview of Spray Foam


Spray foam insulation is a product that expands and hardens upon application, creating a tight thermal envelope around your home. It comes in two main types: open-cell and closed-cell, each serving different insulation needs but with the closed-cell variant being notable for its moisture barrier properties and higher R-value.


Benefits of Spray Foam


Spray foam stands out as the best insulation option due to its expansive nature that tightly seals all nooks and crannies where it's applied. Unlike traditional materials, spray foam expands upon application, filling even the hardest-to-reach areas and creating an airtight seal. This capacity makes it ideal for use in areas other insulations can't effectively cover, such as around piping, in attics, or in crawl spaces.


Importance of Thickness and Density


The effectiveness of spray foam insulation largely depends on the correct application of thickness and density. Proper installation ensures optimal performance, maximizing its R-value (the measure of thermal resistance) and ensuring that the home is well-protected against temperature fluctuations.


Closed-Cell Benefits


Closed-cell foam is particularly beneficial for enhancing the structural integrity of buildings. It adds rigidity and strength to the walls, with studies showing that it can increase a structure's resistance to wind and pressurization by up to 400%. This makes it an excellent choice for areas prone to severe weather conditions.


Application Process


Applying spray foam requires professional installation as the chemicals need careful handling and precise mixing during application. It is sprayed into open wall cavities, attics, and under floors, where it expands and hardens, forming a permanent barrier.


Blown-In Cellulose: Perfect for Retrofitting and New Builds


Blown-in cellulose insulation is a type of insulation material made from recycled paper products, primarily newsprint, that is treated with fire retardants. It is installed by blowing the loose material into wall cavities, attic spaces, or between floors using special pneumatic equipment. This method allows for the insulation to fill in gaps and spaces thoroughly, making it ideal for retrofitting existing structures and enhancing energy efficiency by providing an effective barrier against heat transfer and sound.


Appropriate Uses


Blown-in cellulose is often recommended for older homes where minimal invasiveness is crucial. It's also effective for new construction, particularly when looking to utilize an eco-friendly insulation solution that still provides excellent thermal and acoustic performance. Cellulose is applied generally at a depth of 18” or R60


Benefits of Blown-in Cellulose


Made from recycled paper products, cellulose is an environmentally friendly option. It performs well both thermally and acoustically, making it a preferred choice for homeowners concerned with energy conservation and noise reduction. Cellulose is a blend of recycled newspaper and boric acid ‘soap’ that acts as a fire retardant, dry's the exoskeletons of insects and gets in the eyes of rodents repelling them.


Application Process


Professional equipment is used to blow the cellulose into wall cavities, attic spaces, and other needed areas. This method ensures even distribution and proper density, which are critical for optimal performance.


Fiberglass Insulation: An Economical, DIY-Friendly Choice

DIY Application


Fiberglass batts are well-suited for DIY projects due to their ease of handling and installation. Homeowners can cut the batts to fit various spaces without the need for specialized equipment. Fiberglass batts do not create a uniform and consistent blanket like cellulose does.


Comparative Effectiveness


While fiberglass is cost-effective and easy to install, its insulation quality is generally lower than that of spray foam or cellulose. Graphical comparisons of R-value per inch often show fiberglass as having lower thermal resistance, making it less effective in extremely cold or hot climates. There can be many thermal breaks and places for air to escape between batts.


Limitations of Fiberglass


Fiberglass is less effective at preventing air leakage compared to other types. It must be meticulously installed to cover gaps completely, which can be challenging in irregular spaces.


Application Process


Fiberglass is typically installed between studs, joists, and beams. It must be cut to fit snugly around obstacles and taped or sealed to prevent air gaps.


Upgrade Your Home Insulation with Mattra


Improving your home's insulation is an investment in comfort, energy efficiency, and long-term savings. At Mattra, we understand the unique challenges posed by Maine's climate and are dedicated to helping you find the perfect insulation solution.


Contact us today through our get-started form or call us at (207) 777-6020 for a free quote. Remember, with Efficiency Maine's rebates, you could qualify for at least 40% off, and potentially up to 100% off, the cost of upgrading your home's insulation. Don't miss out on these fantastic savings—reach out now to see how much you can save!

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Maine Attic Nightmares: Condensation, Mold, and Protecting Your Home

By Mattra Inc • August 18, 2025
That musty smell. The faint water stains on your attic ceiling. Maybe you’ve even spotted some unwelcome dark spots. If you’re a Maine homeowner, especially in our older homes, these could be signs of a serious problem brewing in your attic: condensation leading to mold growth. It's a more common issue than you might think, and it can have significant consequences for your home’s health and your wallet. Why is your Maine attic suddenly feeling like a rainforest? The culprit is often a perfect storm of factors we see frequently here at Mattra: a lack of proper air sealing and insufficient insulation. Think of your warm, humid indoor air rising into the colder attic space. Without proper air barriers, this warm, moisture-laden air sneaks through cracks and openings around wiring, plumbing, and light fixtures. Once this warm, moist air hits the cold surfaces in your uninsulated attic – like the roof sheathing – it cools rapidly. Just like water beading on a cold glass on a summer day, this cooling air releases its excess moisture in the form of condensation. And in a Maine winter, those surfaces stay cold for a long time! Several other common issues exacerbate this problem. That uninsulated attic hatch? It’s a direct pathway for warm, humid air to escape. An uninsulated chimney acts as another cold surface where condensation can form. And those bathroom and dryer vents that aren’t properly ducted to the outside? They’re pumping even more moisture directly into your attic – a recipe for disaster. So, what happens when all this condensation builds up? That’s where mold enters the picture. Mold spores are everywhere, both indoors and out. They thrive in damp, dark environments with organic materials to feed on – like the wood in your attic. Consistent condensation provides the perfect breeding ground. As mold grows, it doesn't just create unsightly stains and that telltale musty odor. It actively deteriorates the materials it grows on. Over time, mold can weaken the structural integrity of your roof sheathing and rafters, leading to costly repairs. It can also damage any stored items in your attic. Beyond the structural damage, mold growth can also impact your indoor air quality. Mold spores can become airborne and circulate throughout your home, potentially triggering allergic reactions, asthma symptoms, and other respiratory issues for you and your family. As a licensed vendor with Efficiency Maine , we understand the importance of a healthy home environment. The good news? These attic issues are often fixable! Proper air sealing prevents that warm, humid air from entering the attic in the first place. Adequate insulation helps maintain a more consistent temperature in the attic, reducing those cold surfaces where condensation forms. Insulating the attic hatch and chimney are crucial details often overlooked. And ensuring your bathroom and dryer vents are correctly ducted to the exterior is essential for removing excess moisture from your home. Addressing attic condensation and mold growth is an investment in your home's long-term health and your family's well-being. If you suspect you have an issue in your Maine attic, don't wait for the problem to worsen. Contact the experts at Mattra right here in Lewiston. We can assess your attic, identify the sources of condensation, and recommend the best solutions for mold remediation and preventing future problems through proper air sealing and insulation. Protecting your Maine home starts from the top down!

Blower Door Test

By Mattra Inc • April 3, 2025
Is Your Home Under-Insulated and Leaky? A Blower Door Test Can Tell You Many Maine homeowners don’t realize just how much money is flying out the window—literally. Drafty rooms, cold floors, and rising energy bills are often signs of poor insulation and hidden air leaks. But how do you know where your home is losing heat? A blower door test is one of the most effective tools to identify under-insulated and under-sealed areas in your home. Let’s explore how it works, why it matters, and what steps you can take to improve your home’s energy efficiency—and unlock valuable Efficiency Maine rebates in the process. What Is a Blower Door Test? A blower door test uses a powerful fan, mounted into an exterior doorway, to pull air out of your home and lower the indoor air pressure. This forces outside air in through any cracks or gaps in the building envelope. The result? A clear picture of where your home is leaking air. This test measures air changes per hour (ACH) and identifies weak points in insulation and air sealing. It helps assess how well your home keeps conditioned air in—and the outdoor elements out. An experienced technician can use this data to recommend targeted upgrades, saving you money on heating and cooling costs. How to Pass a Blower Door Test: Key Air Sealing Tips Passing a blower door test doesn’t require a full renovation—it’s about sealing the right places effectively. Here are the most common areas to focus on: 🪟 Windows and Doors Install weather stripping Use caulk or foam sealant around frames Check for gaps in thresholds or broken seals 🧱 Attics and Ceilings Seal around light fixtures and access hatches Insulate attic floors and rafters Use foam board or spray foam in hard-to-reach corners 🧰 Basements and Crawlspaces Seal rim joists with spray foam Insulate basement walls and floors Cover and seal crawlspace vents and doors 🧹 Floors and Walls Fill gaps around pipes, wiring, and ducts Seal baseboards and floor edges Add insulation in wall cavities if accessible By addressing these common problem areas, you can drastically improve your blower door test results and the overall comfort of your home. Why Blower Door Testing Matters Blower door tests aren’t just for code compliance—they’re a diagnostic tool to understand your home's efficiency. When performed by professionals, these tests: Reveal hidden air leaks Provide data for insulation and air sealing improvements Help reduce energy bills Improve indoor comfort and air quality Support home energy audit documentation During the test, technicians record the building's air leakage rate using calibrated gauges. Smoke pencils or infrared cameras may also be used to visualize the leaks. This ensures your energy upgrade dollars go exactly where they’re needed most. Mattra Handles It All—Testing, Air Sealing, and Insulation Ready to make your home more energy-efficient? Mattra offers professional blower door tests. At Mattra, we don’t just tell you what needs to be fixed—we do the work for you. As a licensed insulation and air sealing contractor, we can take your blower door test results and turn them into real improvements. From sealing drafty basements to upgrading attic insulation, our team handles every step in-house. That means fewer headaches for you—and faster results. Plus, we’ll help you navigate the Efficiency Maine rebate process , so you can maximize your savings without lifting a finger. One test. One team. One solution. Let Mattra make your home warmer, tighter, and more energy efficient—starting today.