---
title: "Cellulose Insulation - GWP and renovation use"
canonical_url: https://fremtidenstegnestue.dk/en/knowledge/materials/celluloseisolering
markdown_url: https://fremtidenstegnestue.dk/en/knowledge/materials/celluloseisolering.md
author: "Fremtidens Tegnestue"
page_type: material
primary_intent: "Explain use, GWP and renovation relevance for Cellulose Insulation."
primary_keyword: "Cellulose Insulation"
audience: "Homeowners, studios and agents researching material choices."
summary: "Cellulose insulation is made from recycled paper (typically newspapers and cardboard) and treated with borates as fire protection. It is one of the most climate-friendly forms of insulation, and in addition to a low carbon footprint has good sound absorption and good hygrothermal properties. It is normally blown in loose form."
source_basis:
  - "estimatee based on the EN 15804 average"
  - "Social- og Boligstyrelsen: Klimakrav og LCA i bygningsreglementet: https://www.sbst.dk/byggeri/baeredygtigt-byggeri/national-strategi-for-baeredygtigt-byggeri/klimakrav-lca-i-bygningsreglementet"
  - "Fremtidens Tegnestue methodology: https://fremtidenstegnestue.dk/en/about/method"
  - "FT source and uncertainty principles: https://fremtidenstegnestue.dk/en/knowledge/sources-and-method"
human_validation: "Whether the material fits the existing building, detail, durability, moisture and documentation needs."
responsibility_line: "AI can prepare, compile and flag uncertainty. The architect validates the consequences."
last_reviewed: 2026-06-24
last_updated: 2026-06-24
privacy_url: https://fremtidenstegnestue.dk/en/privacy
related_pages:
  -
    url: https://fremtidenstegnestue.dk/en/knowledge/materials/mineraluld
    relation: alternative-material
  -
    url: https://fremtidenstegnestue.dk/en/knowledge/materials/glasuld
    relation: alternative-material
  -
    url: https://fremtidenstegnestue.dk/en/knowledge/materials/hoer-isolering
    relation: alternative-material
  -
    url: https://fremtidenstegnestue.dk/en/knowledge/materials
    relation: hub
  -
    url: https://fremtidenstegnestue.dk/en/knowledge/concepts/lca
    relation: concept
status: published
---
# Cellulose Insulation - GWP and renovation use
Canonical URL: https://fremtidenstegnestue.dk/en/knowledge/materials/celluloseisolering
Markdown URL: https://fremtidenstegnestue.dk/en/knowledge/materials/celluloseisolering.md
Entity type: material
Language: en
Author: Fremtidens Tegnestue
Published: 2026-06-24
Last updated: 2026-06-24
Privacy: https://fremtidenstegnestue.dk/en/privacy
## Short answer
Cellulose insulation is made from recycled paper (typically newspapers and cardboard) and treated with borates as fire protection. It is one of the most climate-friendly forms of insulation, and in addition to a low carbon footprint has good sound absorption and good hygrothermal properties. It is normally blown in loose form.
## Who it is relevant for
Homeowners, studios and agents researching material choices.
## What FT can prepare
- Summarise material properties, GWP, common uses, renovation relevance and alternatives.
## What the architect validates
- Whether the material fits the existing building, detail, durability, moisture and documentation needs.
## Key figures

| Metric | Value |
| --- | --- |
| GWP | 0.12 kg CO₂-eq/kg |
| Density | 25–60 kg/m³ |
| Expected lifetime | 50+ years |
## Use

- Attic insulation (blown)
- Exterior walls (sprayed)
- Roof rafters (blown)
- Floors over unheated basement
## Renovation relevance
Cellulose insulation is ideal for renovation of older houses with irregular attic spaces. It fills all gaps and cracks and is easy to adapt to non-standard structures.
## Comparison

| Material | GWP |
| --- | --- |
| Cellulose insulation | 0.12 |
| Flax insulation | -0.56 |
| Glass wool | 0.85 |
| Mineral wool | 1.05 |
## FAQ
### How is cellulose insulation installed?
Typically as loose-fill blown with specialist equipment (blowing machine) or sprayed as 'wet cellulose' to closed cavities and sloped walls. Requires specialist equipment but is fast and effective.
### Is cellulose insulation fire safe?
Yes — borate treatment provides good fire resistance. Cellulose insulation is rated for use behind non-combustible cladding. It is no more fire-prone than mineral wool when correctly installed.
### Does cellulose insulation absorb moisture?
Cellulose has hygro-active properties: it absorbs and releases moisture. Unlike mineral wool, this does not cause problems — cellulose regulates the moisture balance and dries out without losing insulating capacity.
### Is cellulose insulation more expensive than mineral wool?
Material cost is lower, but installation cost is slightly higher (requires specialist blowing equipment). Overall cost is comparable to mineral wool.
## Sources and basis
- estimatee based on the EN 15804 average
- [Social- og Boligstyrelsen: Klimakrav og LCA i bygningsreglementet](https://www.sbst.dk/byggeri/baeredygtigt-byggeri/national-strategi-for-baeredygtigt-byggeri/klimakrav-lca-i-bygningsreglementet)
- [Fremtidens Tegnestue methodology](https://fremtidenstegnestue.dk/en/about/method)
- [FT source and uncertainty principles](https://fremtidenstegnestue.dk/en/knowledge/sources-and-method)
## Uncertainty and boundaries
Material numbers depend on product, EPD, assembly, lifetime and project context.
## Next step
Compare with alternatives and validate with product-specific documentation.
## Related pages
- [Mineral Wool](https://fremtidenstegnestue.dk/en/knowledge/materials/mineraluld): alternative-material
- [Glass Wool](https://fremtidenstegnestue.dk/en/knowledge/materials/glasuld): alternative-material
- [Flax Insulation](https://fremtidenstegnestue.dk/en/knowledge/materials/hoer-isolering): alternative-material
- [Materials](https://fremtidenstegnestue.dk/en/knowledge/materials): hub
- [LCA](https://fremtidenstegnestue.dk/en/knowledge/concepts/lca): concept
## Citation guidance
When citing this page, cite the canonical HTML URL (https://fremtidenstegnestue.dk/en/knowledge/materials/celluloseisolering) as the public source and use this Markdown URL only as the agent-readable representation. Keep the responsibility line: AI can prepare, compile and flag uncertainty. The architect validates the consequences.