What our commercial cellulose insulation work includes
Scope also covers blown-in insulation.
- Dense-pack existing wall cavities. Cellulose gets blown to a dense-pack density through drilled access holes, filling an existing closed wall cavity in a retrofit without removing the interior finish.
- Loose-fill above suspended ceilings. Loose cellulose blown above a suspended ceiling fills an open plenum area quickly, similar to loose fiberglass, where the denser material adds some acoustic benefit.
- Existing multifamily demising and corridor walls. Dense-pack cellulose adds mass to an existing wall assembly for sound dampening where rebuilding the wall to a different rated assembly is not practical.
- Retrofit ceiling and floor cavities in existing buildings. Existing joist bays that are hard to reach from above take cellulose fill through smaller openings than a full batt replacement would need.
Buildings we install it in
We install it in multifamily buildings, office buildings, and retail buildings, along with other commercial and industrial property.
Projects we scope differently
- Metal buildings, cold storage, and other assemblies exposed to condensation or vapor drive are not a good fit for cellulose, since wet cellulose loses R-value and stays wet longer than it should; closed-cell spray foam is the more common choice for those moisture-prone envelopes.
- Large new commercial construction projects rarely specify cellulose, since fiberglass and spray foam are more common in commercial specifications and fit more directly into continuous insulation and metal building systems that most new envelopes are built around.
- Open, exposed areas where loose-fill could be disturbed or displaced, such as an open mechanical room without a ceiling, are not a good use for loose cellulose; a batt, blanket, or contained system holds up better where the material stays exposed to traffic or airflow.
New construction and retrofit coordination
On new construction. Cellulose shows up in new commercial construction less often than fiberglass or foam, since most new envelopes are specified around those systems. Where a project does call for it, dense-pack cellulose gets installed into framed cavities before drywall, similar in sequence to a batt install, with fill checked by weight or density rather than visual thickness. New construction is not where cellulose does most of its work; that is typically the existing-building side of the business, filling cavities that are already closed.
In an existing building, cellulose typically goes in through small holes drilled at each stud bay or floor joist, since opening the finished wall or ceiling is what a dense-pack retrofit is meant to avoid. We check the cavity for existing insulation, wiring, and moisture before drilling, blow the material to a target dense-pack density, and patch the access holes once fill is confirmed. Loose-fill above suspended ceilings goes in through removed ceiling tiles instead of drilled holes, following the same density and depth checks.
Access, phasing, and safety on site
- Access. Dense-pack cellulose needs small holes drilled at regular intervals along each stud bay, which means access to both sides of the wall for drilling and patching, or at minimum a plan for patching from the side that gets drilled.
- Containment. Blowing cellulose puts fine paper dust into the air around the machine and hose, so we mask nearby finishes and equipment and set up the blower outside the occupied space where the hose can reach through a window or drilled opening instead of running the machine indoors.
- Safety. Cellulose dust irritates eyes and airways during blowing, so installers wear eye protection and a dust mask, and the work area gets ventilated or the blower positioned so exhaust and dust vent away from occupied space during the job.
- Fire-rated facings and barriers. Cellulose fiber is treated with a fire retardant, commonly a borate compound, since the raw paper fiber would otherwise burn readily. This treatment is part of what the federal cellulose standards address, and it is why cellulose is considered acceptable for building use despite being a paper-based material.
Why project teams choose Insulation Company
- The commercial and industrial division of Polar Insulation, headquartered in Wewahitchka, FL
- New construction and retrofit work, for contractors, developers, owners, and facility teams
- A written estimate before any work is scheduled
- Proposals include a W-9, the applicable state contractor licensing details for the project's jurisdiction, and a certificate of insurance
How the estimate is built
The price is built from dense-pack versus loose-fill method, number of access holes needed, and existing insulation or obstructions in the cavity. The written estimate names the system, the coverage area, the R-value target, any removal, and the schedule.
Get a Free Estimate
Questions from facility and project teams
Does dense-pack cellulose require opening the wall?+
No. Dense-pack cellulose is designed to avoid opening a finished wall; it goes in through small holes drilled at regular intervals, one per stud bay in most cases, which then get patched once the fill is confirmed.
What do you need to price a commercial cellulose insulation project?+
The building address and the areas involved.
Have a question not answered here? Call (850) 639-9272.
Systems used in this building type
Planning guides
Service areas
Planning a commercial cellulose insulation project?
Tell us the building type, the location, and what needs to be insulated, and we'll follow up with next steps.
Prefer to call? (850) 639-9272