Table of Contents
How is blown-in insulation done?
The cellulose is blown into the attic or walls through long, flexible tubes that run from the blower to an application nozzle. The cellulose is allowed to fill the cavities or blanket existing insulation. No pressure is placed on the cellulose; it is allowed to settle over time. Walls are patched up and painted over.
Is blown-in wall insulation worth it?
Unless your home is relatively new, you will almost certainly benefit from installing blown insulation in your attic. It will make your home a more comfortable place to be in summer and winter, decrease the cost of your energy bills, and increase the value of your home.
Is blown in insulation cheaper than rolls?
The Differences Between Blown-in and Rolled Insulation The lower the R-value is, the less effective it will be as insulation – although it will be cheaper as well. In such situations, blown-in insulation is much more effective since it allows you to easily insulate those hard to reach areas.
How thick should blown in insulation be?
When blown into attics and wall spaces, loose-fill fiberglass offers an average R-2.5 thermal value per inch (the higher the number, the greater the insulating effect). You’d need a thickness of about 7.5 inches of insulation to match the insulating value of a batt of R-19 insulation (R-19 is a common batt value).
How many bags of blown in insulation will I need?
More on Calculating Insulation Needs Divide the measured square footage you obtained by 1,000 square feet to obtain the multiplication factor: 1,500 square feet/1,000 square feet = 1.5. Multiply the R-value chart number to obtain the number of bags (rounding up at the end): 40.8 * 1.5 = 61.2 or 62 bundles.
How do I walk in my attic with blown insulation?
Lay them on top of the insulation in the direction that you know where the rafters are. set one down in the direction you want to walk. Carry other one to end, set it down then pick up other one and continue to destination. On the way out do the opposite, using a rake to put back the insulation that you disturbed .
Is adding insulation to attic worth it?
According to the Department of Energy, properly insulating the attic can save 10 to 50 percent on a typical heating bill. For many homeowners, insulating the attic is the most effective method to save on energy costs.
Which is better attic insulation blown or rolled?
Rolled fiberglass insulation scores an R-value of 3.7. So overall, rolled fiberglass insulation is slightly more effective at blocking in and out heat than its blown counterpart.
Can you put plywood over blown insulation?
Once the insulation is down, you can turn your attic into valuable storage space by covering the floor with plywood. It will also make the attic a safer place in which to walk.
Does blown-in insulation need a vapor barrier?
A common misconception is that vapor barriers are required in all insulation installations. Blow-in Cellulose insulation seals houses better by limiting the air flow, not only through the insulating material, but also around difficult to insulate areas such as the gaps around electrical boxes, wiring and plumbing.
Can I do blown in insulation myself?
You can do it yourself for about $500. Blowing attic insulation isn’t hard, but it’s dusty, sweaty work. To make insulating an attic easier, grab a helper and set aside two days: one for attic prep and the second to actually blow the insulation. The long-term payoff of insulating an attic is impressive too.
What is the pink fluffy stuff in my attic?
Fiberglass insulation, a man-made mineral fiber constructed from a variety of materials, such as sand and recycled glass, is the most popular form of insulation in the United States — more than 90 percent of homes in America are lined with the pink stuff [source: Spencer and Gulick].
Which is better foam or blown insulation?
Between spray foam and blown-in cellulose, which is better? Both spray foam and blown-in cellulose insulation have their advantages. Spray foam has a higher R-value, so it’s the more effective insulator. But cellulose is better at insulating street noise.
How many inches of insulation should be in an attic?
Insulation levels are specified by R-Value. R-Value is a measure of insulation’s ability to resist heat flow. The higher the R-Value, the better the thermal performance of the insulation. The recommended level for most attics is to insulate to R-38 or about 10 to 14 inches, depending on insulation type.
Can I put rolled insulation over blown-in?
Adding blown-in insulation over existing rolls is not a problem. It’s important to air seal the area before adding new blown-in insulation, so it works well to keep your home energy-efficient.
Can you put too much insulation in attic?
It’s possible to over-insulate an attic as too much will cause moisture buildup and eventually result in mold. Eventually, adding more insulation leads to diminishing returns in trapping heat as well.
How many inches of blown-in cellulose insulation do I need?
With blown-in cellulose insulation, that would require insulation to a depth of 10 inches. If there is already insulation, measure the current depth and subtract to determine the amount needed to bring the attic to the recommended level for the desired R-Value.
What R-value is 6 inches of insulation?
Fiberglass Insulation Batts Fiberglass blankets or rolls provide an R-value of up to 3.2 per inch, so a 6-inch fiberglass batt may achieve an R-value of 19.2, and some high-performance products are rated at R-21.
