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Asbestos vs. Cellulose Insulation: What's the Difference?
Know what’s keeping your home warm
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Asbestos insulation and cellulose insulation both provide thermal protection, but the difference between cellulose insulation and asbestos insulation shows up in texture and color.
Asbestos has a fibrous, cotton-like texture with silver-gold coloring, while cellulose looks like shredded paper in shades of gray with a brownish tinge.
Your home's age helps determine which insulation type you have, as homes built before the 1980s often contain asbestos while newer homes use cellulose.
Hiring a local asbestos testing professional provides peace of mind through accurate lab testing, helping you identify asbestos insulation safely without disturbing it.
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You know that insulation helps to keep winter's chill out of your home while keeping it cooler in the summer. But have you ever thought about what's in your insulation? Depending on when your home was built, there may be asbestos in your insulation. Sometimes, asbestos-based insulation can appear similar to cellulose material, which is not hazardous to your health. Learn the difference between asbestos and cellulose insulation and why it matters.
What Are the Differences Between Asbestos and Cellulose Insulation?
Asbestos and cellulose insulation will both keep a home warm, but the materials they are made from are considerably different. Another major difference between the two? Safety. The Environmental Protection Agency started banning products made from asbestos, including insulation, in the 1970s.
You can't officially identify asbestos without a microscope or lab testing, but there are signs that your home contains asbestos insulation based on the following.
| Type of Difference | Asbestos | Cellulose |
|---|---|---|
| General appearance | Fibrous, cotton-like | Shredded paper |
| Color | Silver-gold | Shades of gray |
| Home’s age | Pre-1980s | 1970s onward |
| Materials | Silicate mineral | Recycle paper |
| Safety | Carcinogen | Non-carcinogen |
Asbestos vs. Cellulose Insulation: Differences in Appearance
Photo: gokcen/ Adobe Stock
The only way to accurately identify asbestos insulation is by hiring a professional asbestos testing company near you to take a sample and examine it. However, you can spot slight differences in appearance between asbestos and cellulose insulation.
Texture
Asbestos insulation may look like cotton while cellulose tends to resemble shredded or fluffy paper. Another notable difference between the two is the presence of shiny fibers in asbestos insulation.
Color
Cellulose insulation tends to be shades of gray with a brownish tinge since it's often made from recycled newspaper or cardboard.
Asbestos insulation tends to be shiny and may look more like silver or gold than gray or brown.
Angi Tip
Asbestos is odorless—so don't rely on your nose to tip you off about asbestos in your home. Asbestos fibers are too tiny for humans to detect their smell, so even large amounts of asbestos will lack a scent. The only way to know if your home has asbestos is to have a pro test for it.
Age of Home
Before people understood the dangers posed by asbestos, it was considered a wonder material, capable of preventing fires. The material was nearly ubiquitous throughout the mid-20th century and was frequently used in homes and other buildings.
After the EPA banned asbestos, its use was phased out. So, if your home was constructed after the mid-1970s, it's more likely to contain cellulose or another type of safe insulation.
Materials
Asbestos is the name of a group of naturally occurring mineral fibers. Amosite, or brown, asbestos, was the type most commonly used to make insulation. It has long, brittle, straight fibers.
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Cellulose is actually a carbohydrate and the material that makes up the main cell wall of plants. Because it is stiff and strong, it's often used to make paper. In some cases, that paper ends up transformed into cellulose insulation.
Safety
When products containing asbestos, like insulation, are disturbed, they can release tiny fibers. Inhaling those fibers can put a person at an increased risk of developing lung and other types of cancer. That’s why qualified local asbestos abatement pros are the only people who should remove asbestos materials from your home.
While you may worry about the presence of asbestos insulation in your home, the best thing to do if you suspect it's there is to leave it alone. Left undisturbed, asbestos can't release its fibers. However, if you have any major renovation work planned, it's best to call someone to test the insulation and confirm the presence of asbestos.
On the other hand, you're unlikely to inhale particles or fibers from cellulose insulation if the material is disturbed. But, it's worth noting that boric acid, which is often added to cellulose insulation to reduce flammability, can cause irritation and other health concerns following skin contact or ingestion.
For that reason, it's a good idea to exercise caution around any type of insulation. When in doubt, call in a pro.
Frequently Asked Questions
Asbestos removal services reviews from real Angi homeowners in Columbus, OH
5.0★ avg. • 2 total reviews
- Gerilyn L.
One of my old tall evergreen trees was suddenly leaning toward the busy street in front of my house. I submitted a request for an emergency tree inspection, and Alejandro, owner of Cajete Tree Service, contacted me immediately and arrived to look at it just 20 minutes later. We agreed the...
Cajete Tree Service LLC - Sue B.
Terrible experience. Walls/trim/floors/cabinets/doors all have drip marks, overspray, etc. Tiling at the fireplace had to be redone by another vendor due to incorrect and shoddy install by Profect. Contractor had his children in our house while he was on site without prior authorization or...
Profect painting & exteriors - Paul F.
Lyle did a great job removing asbestos shingles from our front porch roof. They worked together with our roofer to make sure that the new roof was able to be installed on the same day that Lyle removed the asbestos shingles.
Lyle Environmental - Kendrick V.
Involved an extensive bathroom remodel, including removing tub & installing walk in shower, new drywall, custome tile work to ceiling, plumbing, etc. Overall, job was done on time and on budget. Nick & his team were very professional and had high attention to detail. Quality was great. Highly...
Stamos Flooring and Remodeling LLC - John E.
A team of 2 spent 5 hours, cleaning top to bottom (removed all light fixture and cleaned.... impressive!!!)
Luzia's Cleaning - Troy S.
Great Job!!! Martin called me after I requested a estimate on Home Advisor. He was very professional and actually went the same day and looked at the tree I needed removed gave us a estimate and I felt it was very aggressive so I did not even call for any other bids. I asked him how soon he...
Reyes Tree Service LLC - Home Facebook - David S.
Mike and his crew did a great job working through a very challenging task. The job required a full demolition of our ceiling, removing the blown in insulation and removing all the material from the site daily. It involved multiple inspections from the city and many challenges to get the...
Rising Height Unlimited - Brenda H.
Removed various items (furniture, lamps, other junk) from my home. They were on time, personable, professional, etc. I can't say enough positive things about this company. <br />
- Locke M.
The task proved more difficult than anticipated. When they arrived the first day, they had no tools with them at all, and had to make a run to purchase appropriate tools. It was quickly determined that the paper had to be steamed off, and neither the workers, nor the company itself, had...
ABS Interiors of Mid-Ohio LLC - Alesia B.
We needed them to do extra work to remove existing wallpaper, and provide full primer and painting/trim work around existing furniture etc, during a move-in period. They did everything top-notch with minimal mess. They were always extremely on time, and very professional. They also cleaned...
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