Frequently Asked Questions

 

General Questions:

 

Q1. What is GreenFiber™ Cocoon® Insulation made from?

A1. 85% recycled paper fiber, mostly recovered post consumer content, the remaining 15%

are additives for fire resistance.

 

Q2. Why should I use GreenFiber Insulation?

A2. GreenFiber Insulation directly benefits the customer by:

• reducing drafts

• suppressing noise

• lowering energy consumption*

• providing fire resistance

• increasing resale value

• the use of natural, safe, recycled products

• guaranteed performance

 

Q3. Does GreenFiber Insulation use formaldehyde, glass fibers or harmful chemicals?

A3. GreenFiber Insulation is not manufactured with formaldehyde, asbestos, or fiberglass.

 

Q4. Is GreenFiber Insulation more expensive than fiberglass?

A4. GreenFiber will always give you the best value for your money. Your savings will be

realized through lower energy bills* as long as you own your home. Your investment in GreenFiber Insulation pays for itself month after month.

 

Q5. Is there a mess after the GreenFiber Insulation?

A5. There may be some dust, but the dust settles quickly. The paper fibers are easier to clean up than irritating fiberglass particles that may contaminate your clothing, furniture or carpets.

 

Q6. Is GreenFiber Insulation a fire hazard because it is made from old newspapers?

A6. No, Our Insulation is manufactured under Consumer Product Safety Commission

(CPSC) performance criteria mandating fire safety standards. GreenFiber’s insulation products are Class 1/A fire rated building materials, and exceed the fire safety standards set by the CPSC. GreenFiber guarantees the fire retardant treatment of GreenFiber Insulation if it is installed according to GreenFiber’s installation instructions. In addition, GreenFiber’s loose-fill and stabilized insulation products are listed for use both as building insulation and as a fire block. See ICC Evaluation Service Report ESR-1996.

 

Q7. Will it burn?

A7. GreenFiber’s Cocoon Insulation has a Class 1/A fire rating as set by the Consumer Product Safety Commission. The 1998 Large Scale Outdoor Fire Demonstration, conducted by the Maryland Fire and Rescue Institute, found cellulose insulation increased fire resistance by as much as 57% over fiberglass insulation.

 

Q8. Are the fire-retardant chemicals used in GreenFiber Insulation safe for humans?

A8. The borates added to our product provide flame resistance and are non-toxic. It

contains no formaldehyde, asbestos or fiberglass. You can install it without itchy skin irritations. GreenFiber Insulation is not a carcinogen.

 

Q9. Will it lose flame resistance over the years?

A9. No. Accelerated aging tests (CAN/CGSB-51.60 M-90) performed on cellulose

insulation have shown that there is no noticeable degradation over time. GreenFiber offers a limited lifetime warranty which includes the permanency to the fire retardant treatment for the life of the structure.

 

Q10. What effect does moisture have on GreenFiber’s product?

A10. GreenFiber Insulation does not attract moisture. The insulating fibers have a

natural ability to handle moisture. Moisture vapor in the air is absorbed and released depending upon the relative humidity of the surrounding air. The insulation fibers retain a natural moisture level between 5-8% by weight, as much as 15% has no effect on the thermal insulating characteristics. Many authorities believe the demonstrated ability of GreenFiber Insulation to control moisture transport by eliminating air infiltration makes vapor barriers unnecessary when GreenFiber Insulation is installed. GreenFiber does not recommend the use of a vapor barrier in most climates, as they add virtually nothing to the performance of GreenFiber Insulation. Like other insulation materials, cellulose is not recommended for use wherever there is continuous exposure to moisture and lack of drying conditions. (Situations where there are sustained humidity conditions exceeding 60%).

 

Q11. Will it corrode metal?

A11. GreenFiber Insulation meets or exceeds standard industry tests (ASTM C 739) for

corrosion performed on steel, copper, and aluminum.

 

Q12. What are the Sound Control capabilities of GreenFiber Insulation?

A12. GreenFiber’s Insulation is effective in helping create a quieter home environment. This is especially true for airborne sound that is generated by traffic noise, airplanes, radios, televisions, and conversation. The sound control quality of GreenFiber Insulation is due to its density—approximately 2 to 3 times greater than similar fiberglass products and its ability to fill any cavity into which it is properly installed. GreenFiber Insulation

completely fills voids and gaps that allow sound transmission. It has a Noise Reduction Coefficient of 0.90 (90% of sound energy absorbed).

 

Q13. Does GreenFiber Insulation settle over time?

A13. All loose-fill insulation settles after installation. By federal law and industry

standards, GreenFiber Insulation is specified and sold at installed and settled density. The bag count and weight of material on GreenFiber coverage charts provides precise information on the amount of material that must be installed to produce the specified R-Value. It is not necessary to install more material than is indicated to compensate for settling – that is already built into the GreenFiber coverage charts.

 

Q14. Is GreenFiber Insulation stable?

A14. GreenFiber Insulation will remain stable if used according to the installation

instructions, and is supported by a GreenFiber guarantee for the life of the structure.

GreenFiber is approved by:

 

• International Code Council (ICC)

• International Building Code (IBC)

• International Energy Conservation Code (IECC)

• International Residential Code (IRC)

• International Mechanical Code (IMC)

• National Building Code of Canada

 

GreenFiber Insulation has met or exceeded the strict standards required for insulation

manufacturers. We even take the extra step to assure quality by having our product tested by third-party testing facilities.

 

Examples of required and voluntary standards tests performed on GreenFiber Insulation:

 

• American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM)

• ASTM specification C 739 (Critical Radiant Flux and Smoldering Combustion)

• ASTM C 423-84A – Sound Absorption

• ASTM E 84 – Flame Spread

• ASTM E 970 – Critical Radiant Flux

• ASTM C 518 – R-Value

• CAN/ULC5703 Density and Thermal Resistance

• CAN/ULC5102.2 Flame Spread

• Consumer Products Safety Commission Safety Standard 16 CFR Part 1209

• Federal Trade Commission R-Value Rule

• NAHB National Research Center

• Oak Ridge National Laboratory

• Underwriters Laboratory

 

* Savings vary upon R-values. Higher R-values mean greater insulating & savings