Cellulose Insulation Contractor

Cellulose Insulation Contractor for Westchester & North Jersey

Cellulose is what we reach for first in the older homes across this region — because it flows around a hundred years of odd framing, wiring and bracing without leaving the gaps that batts leave behind.

Blown into attics to R-49 or better. Dense-packed into walls without opening them. BPI accredited, NYSERDA participating, family run since 2005.

calendar_monthRequest an Energy Assessment call(845) 445-8255

local_fire_departmentClass A fire rating

recyclingUp to 90% recycled fiber

ecoNYSERDA up to $3,000

diversity_1Woman owned, since 2005

Blown-in cellulose insulation installed by Metro NY Insulation in a Westchester County NY attic

R-value per inch

R-3.5 to R-3.8

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Quick Answer

Cellulose insulation is recycled paper fiber treated with borate, blown into attics, walls and floors. It delivers R-3.5 to R-3.8 per inch — noticeably more than blown fiberglass at R-2.2 to R-2.7 — carries a Class A fire rating, and the borate makes it resistant to fire, mold and insects. In the Westchester and northern New Jersey market, blowing an accessible attic typically runs $1.50–$2.50 per square foot installed, and New York homeowners can receive up to $3,000 through NYSERDA.

Where It Goes

What We Install Cellulose For

Four jobs make up almost everything we do with cellulose in this region.

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Blown-In Attic Insulation

The most common job. We air seal the attic floor first, install baffles at the eaves, then blow cellulose to a settled depth that holds R-49 or better. Depth markers go in so it stays verifiable. See attic insulation.

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Dense-Pack Walls — No Demolition

Cellulose is packed into closed wall cavities at about 3.5 lb/ft³ through small access holes, from inside or by removing a band of siding. No gutting, no settling. See exterior dense pack.

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Removal & Replacement

Wet, matted or rodent-contaminated material gets vacuumed out and bagged at the source before new cellulose goes down. We do not bury a problem under new insulation.

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Topping Up Over Existing

If the existing fiberglass is dry and uncontaminated, cellulose can be blown straight over it and the R-values add together. Often the most cost-effective upgrade there is.

Straight Numbers

How Much Does Cellulose Insulation Cost?

Typical installed ranges for the Westchester and northern New Jersey market. These are the numbers we see most often, not a quote.

Scope of work	Typical installed cost	What drives the range
Blown-in attic cellulose Over sound existing material, to R-49+	$1.50–$2.50 / sq ft	Attic square footage, target R-value, access and walkability
Typical attic project 1,000–1,500 sq ft	$2,000–$4,000	The most common cellulose job we run
Dense-pack walls Drill-and-fill, no demolition	$2.50–$4.00 / sq ft of wall	Interior vs exterior access, siding type, cavity obstructions
Removal of failed insulation Vacuum-out and disposal	$1.00–$2.00 / sq ft	Depth, rodent contamination, attic access
Air sealing first Required before insulating	$1,200–$3,000	Bypass count, recessed lights, chimney chases

NYSERDA takes up to $3,000 off

New York homeowners working with a participating contractor. We file the paperwork. New York only — NJ uses Home Performance with ENERGY STAR. NY program details.

Cellulose costs more than fiberglass

Per square foot, yes — and it buys you ~40% more R-value per inch plus real air-flow resistance. In an older home with irregular framing, that gap widens further.

You get a written scope

Your assessment produces a documented scope of work with the target R-value and exact pricing before anything is ordered.

The Spec

Cellulose R-Value — and How Much You Actually Need

Blown cellulose delivers R-3.5 to R-3.8 per inch. Blown fiberglass gives R-2.2 to R-2.7. That difference compounds fast when you are trying to reach a target in a fixed depth of attic.

The DOE recommends R-49 to R-60 for attics in the climate zones covering Westchester and northern New Jersey. Here is what that means in inches:

Target	Cellulose depth	Blown fiberglass depth
R-30	~8–9 in	~11–13 in
R-38	~10–11 in	~14–17 in
R-49	~13–14 in	~18–22 in
R-60	~16–17 in	~22–27 in

Depths are settled depths. Loose-fill cellulose settles roughly 15–20% over its first years, so it has to be blown deeper than the finished target. We install to the settled number and leave depth markers so it can be checked years later. Dense-pack in walls is installed at ~3.5 lb/ft³ specifically so it cannot settle and leave a void at the top of the cavity.

Blown-in cellulose insulation installed to full settled depth across an attic floor in an older home

The Questions Everyone Asks

Is Cellulose Insulation Safe?

It is made from recycled paper, so people reasonably ask whether it burns, molds, or attracts mice. Here are the straight answers — including where the honest limits are.

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Does it burn?

No. The borate treatment gives cellulose a Class A / Class 1 fire rating — the highest available for building insulation. A dense layer actually slows fire spread better than unfaced fiberglass, because the density limits oxygen reaching the framing. It chars rather than supporting a flame.

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Does it attract mice or insects?

The opposite. Borate is a natural insecticide and rodent deterrent. Rodents avoid nesting in it where they readily nest in loose fiberglass. Honest limit: it is not a pest-control product and will not clear an existing infestation.

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Does it mold?

Borate resists fungal and microbial growth, so the material is not a mold food source under normal conditions. Honest limit: no insulation survives a real water problem. A roof leak or a bath fan venting into the attic will mat it and keep it damp. We fix the moisture source first.

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Can it contain asbestos?

No — cellulose has never contained asbestos. The confusion is with vermiculite (often sold as Zonolite), a loose granular insulation that looks like gray-brown pebbles. Vermiculite from Libby, Montana can contain asbestos. Pebbles, not gray shredded fiber? Do not disturb it — have it tested.

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Is it dusty? Safe to breathe?

Any dry blown material makes dust during installation, which is why our crew wears respirators and we seal the work area. Once installed and the hatch is sealed, it is inert. It contains no formaldehyde and does not off-gas — and unlike fiberglass it is not itchy or irritating to skin.

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What about knob-and-tube wiring?

This one matters in older Westchester homes. Active knob-and-tube must not be buried in any insulation — it is designed to shed heat into open air. If we find it, the wiring gets addressed by an electrician before we insulate. No exceptions.

Choosing a Material

Cellulose vs. Fiberglass vs. Spray Foam

The short version. Each comparison has its own deeper page if you want the full argument.

	Cellulose	Blown Fiberglass	Spray Foam
R-value per inch	R-3.5 to R-3.8	R-2.2 to R-2.7	R-3.6 open cell / R-6.5 closed cell
Fills irregular framing	Excellent	Fair	Excellent
Resists air movement	Very good at density	Poor — air passes through	Air barrier by itself
Fire rating	Class A (borate treated)	Non-combustible	Needs a thermal/ignition barrier
Pest deterrent	Yes — borate	No	No nesting material
Recycled content	Up to 90%	Varies	None
Best used for	Attic floors, closed walls, older homes	Budget top-ups on flat open runs	Roof decks, conditioned attics, kneewalls
Relative cost	Moderate	Lowest	Highest

Cellulose vs. Fiberglass →

The full comparison, including whether you can blow cellulose over existing fiberglass batts.

Cellulose vs. Spray Foam →

When the roof deck needs foam instead, and when cellulose on the attic floor is the better spend.

Injection Foam vs. Cellulose →

For older-home walls specifically — what injection foam actually does in a closed cavity, and where it falls short.

Our Process

How a Cellulose Job Actually Runs

Energy Assessment

We measure existing depth and R-value, check for moisture, rodents and knob-and-tube, inspect ventilation and soffit clearance, and use thermal imaging to find where heat is actually escaping.

Written Scope of Work

Target R-value, material, exact pricing, and your NYSERDA eligibility if you are in New York. Nothing is ordered before you approve it.

Remove What Has Failed

Wet, matted or contaminated material is vacuumed out and bagged at the source. Sound insulation stays — we do not remove material that is still doing its job just to sell a bigger scope.

Air Seal, Then Blow

Every bypass gets sealed first — top plates, chases, wire penetrations, the hatch. Baffles go in at the eaves so the soffit vents stay clear. Then cellulose goes in to the settled-depth target. See attic air sealing.

Depth Markers & Documentation

Measurement sticks go in so the depth is verifiable years from now, the site is cleaned, and you receive documentation of the installed R-value plus your rebate paperwork.

Old batt insulation removed before installing cellulose at a home in Mount Kisco, New York

Cellulose insulation being installed at a home in Mount Kisco, Westchester County NY

Dense pack cellulose insulation filling a finished sloped ceiling cavity in a White Plains NY home

Completed blown cellulose attic insulation with continuous coverage across the attic floor

Cellulose Insulation Contractors Near You

We have been installing cellulose across Westchester, the Hudson Valley and northern New Jersey since 2005. That matters here more than most places: the housing stock is old. Balloon-framed colonials, post-war capes with kneewalls, plaster-and-lath walls with no insulation at all. Cellulose is the material that works in those buildings, and knowing how to get it into them is the actual skill.

Woman owned and family run. BPI accredited. NYSERDA participating contractor — we file your rebate paperwork for you.

Westchester County, NY Rockland County, NY Orange County, NY Dutchess County, NY Ulster County, NY Sullivan County, NY Bergen County, NJ Passaic County, NJ Essex County, NJ Hudson County, NJ

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BPI

Accredited contractor, measured standards

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$3,000

NYSERDA incentive, New York homeowners

diversity_1

Since 2005

Woman owned and family run

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Verified

Depth markers and documented R-value

Complete the Picture

Where Cellulose Fits In

roofing

Attic Insulation

The full attic service — assessment, air sealing, removal and insulation to R-49 or better.

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Wall Insulation

Dense-pack cellulose into closed walls — no gutting, no settling, no cold exterior rooms.

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Attic Air Sealing

The step that comes before insulating. Without it, the R-value you paid for underperforms.

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Cellulose for Soundproofing

Density is what stops sound. Cellulose fills a cavity completely, which is why it outperforms batts for noise.

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Home Energy Audits

Blower door testing and thermal imaging that show exactly where the house is losing energy.

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NY Insulation Programs

What NYSERDA covers, who qualifies, and how the incentive is applied. New York homeowners only.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is cellulose insulation safe?add

Yes. Modern cellulose is recycled paper fiber treated with borate — the same class of mineral used in laundry products and wood preservatives. It carries a Class A (Class 1) fire rating, contains no formaldehyde and no asbestos, and does not off-gas. Unlike fiberglass it is not itchy or irritating to skin. Installers wear respirators because any dry blown material creates dust during installation, but once in place it is inert.

Is cellulose insulation flammable?add

No — and this is the most common misconception, because it is made from paper. The borate treatment gives cellulose a Class A / Class 1 fire rating, the highest available for building insulation. In practice a dense layer slows fire spread better than unfaced fiberglass, because the density limits the oxygen reaching the framing. It chars rather than supporting a flame.

Does cellulose insulation attract mice or insects?add

The opposite. Borate is a natural insecticide and a rodent deterrent, which is precisely why cellulose is treated with it. Insects that ingest borate do not survive it, and rodents avoid nesting in it where they will readily nest in loose fiberglass. It is not a pest-control product though — it will not clear an existing infestation.

Does cellulose insulation mold?add

Borate-treated cellulose resists fungal and microbial growth, so the insulation is not a mold food source under normal conditions. But no insulation survives a real water problem. If a roof leak or a bath fan venting into the attic keeps it wet, it will mat, lose R-value and stay damp against the framing. We find and fix the moisture source before insulating, and saturated material comes out rather than being buried.

Can cellulose insulation contain asbestos?add

No. Cellulose is recycled paper fiber and has never contained asbestos. The confusion comes from vermiculite — a loose granular insulation that looks like small gray-brown pebbles, often sold as Zonolite. Vermiculite from the Libby, Montana mine can contain asbestos, and it is common in homes insulated before 1990. If your attic holds pebble-like granules rather than gray shredded fiber, do not disturb it and have it tested.

What is the R-value of cellulose insulation?add

Blown-in cellulose delivers roughly R-3.5 to R-3.8 per inch, versus R-2.2 to R-2.7 for blown fiberglass. The DOE recommends R-49 to R-60 for attics in the climate zones covering Westchester and northern New Jersey — about 14 to 18 inches of settled cellulose. Dense-pack cellulose in a standard 2x4 wall cavity gives about R-13 to R-14.

How much does cellulose insulation cost?add

Blowing an accessible attic typically runs $1.50–$2.50 per square foot installed, so a 1,000–1,500 sq ft attic usually lands between $2,000 and $4,000. Dense-pack in existing walls runs about $2.50–$4.00 per square foot of wall area because it is drill-and-fill work. Removing failed insulation first adds roughly $1.00–$2.00 per square foot. New York homeowners may receive up to $3,000 through NYSERDA.

Does cellulose insulation settle?add

Loose-fill cellulose settles roughly 15–20% over its first years in an attic, which is why it must be installed to a settled-depth target rather than an initial depth. We blow to the depth that still measures R-49 or better after settling, and leave depth markers so it can be verified later. Dense-pack in walls is installed at about 3.5 lb/ft³ precisely so it cannot settle and leave a void at the top of the cavity.

Cellulose or fiberglass — which is better for an attic?add

For attic floors in this climate, cellulose generally wins: higher R-value per inch, flows around wiring and bracing without gaps, resists air movement far better at density, and borate adds fire and pest resistance. Fiberglass is cheaper per square foot and does not absorb water. Honestly, both installed perfectly are closer than people think — but cellulose is far more forgiving of the irregular framing in older Westchester and NJ homes. Full comparison.

Can cellulose be blown over existing fiberglass?add

Usually yes, and it is often the most cost-effective upgrade available. If the existing fiberglass is dry, uncontaminated and not matted down, cellulose can be blown directly over it and the R-values add together — the existing batts just must not be compressed by the new material. If the fiberglass is wet, rodent-contaminated or dark with filtered dust, it comes out first. Air sealing still has to happen before anything new goes down.

Do you install cellulose in walls without opening them?add

Yes. Dense-pack cellulose goes in through small access holes — either from inside through the drywall, or from outside by removing a band of siding, filling the cavity and restoring the siding. The wall is filled to about 3.5 lb/ft³ so it cannot settle. It is the standard retrofit for older homes with empty or under-filled wall cavities, and it does not require gutting the room.

Are there rebates for cellulose insulation in New York?add

Yes. New York homeowners working with a NYSERDA participating contractor can receive up to $3,000 toward qualifying insulation and air sealing work. Metro NY Insulation is a NYSERDA participating contractor and handles the paperwork. NYSERDA incentives are for New York homeowners only — New Jersey homeowners use the Home Performance with ENERGY STAR program instead.