Everything to Know About Blown-in Insulation
Blown-in Insulation Guide
Pink or yellow, fluffy strips of fiberglass insulation in unfaced rolls or faced batts is the standard image that comes to mind when you think about material used to insulate your home. Undoubtedly, fiberglass insulation has been the standard material used within walls, attics, and joist cavities of a structure to form an insulative barrier for decades. However, when adding additional insulation to your home, you might want to consider blown-in insulation.
If your goal is to improve your home’s insulation R-value (rating system for insulation), then blown-in insulation might be your perfect choice.
Table of Contents
- What is Blown-in Insulation?
- Benefits of Blown-in Insulation
- Recommended Blown-In Insulation R-Value
- Types of Blown-In Insulation
- Pros and Cons of Blown-In Insulation
- Is Blown-in Insulation a DIY Project?
- How Much Insulation Do I Need for My Attic?
- What’s the Cost of Blown-In Attic Insulation?
- Consult with a Professional Insulation Contractor
What is Blown-in Insulation?
Blown-in (often called blow-in or loose-fill insulation) is the process of filling joist and stud cavities and attic floors with a loose insulative material that provides added R-value to the home.
There are various blown-in insulation materials to pick between, such as Styrofoam pellets, Rockwool, loose fiberglass fibers, or cellulose material.
If you want to go with an eco-friendly insulation choice, then cellulose blown-in insulation is ideal. It is typically made from recycled newspaper, wood-based material, or cardboard. The material has fire resistance because it is treated with boric acid or other flame/mold resistant substances.
Loose blow-in cellulose comes packaged in bags or bails. The insulative material is installed using a specialized mechanical blower/hopper that effectively blows and churns the insulation with paddles to loosen it into a snow-like fluffy spray that is hosed into the home’s cavities to create a wall and attic insulation.
Installment of blown-in insulation is usually carried out by a licensed insulation contractor such as Conejo Valley Home Services, who specializes in ensuring even distribution.
Benefits of Blown-in Insulation
When winter arrives, people usually start to layer clothing with sweaters and jackets to stay warmer. Insulating your home is the same. You can add extra layers of insulation to the structure to increase the R-value of the house. A high R-value helps your home stay cool in the summer heat and warm in the winter cold.
Additional benefits of blown-in insulation include:
- Energy savings: Your home’s energy consumption will decrease if the HVAC system does not need to run as frequently to compensate for lost heat or cooling. Blown-in insulation prevents cooling and heat from escaping, which lowers your energy bill.
- Comfort: When your home has a balanced temperature with no drafts or hot spots, you’ll feel more comfortable.
- Sound Blocking: Whether the neighbors like to play their music too loud, or there are barking dogs next door, or you simply enjoy turning your tv up, having the sound blocking capabilities of insulation benefits everyone in the neighborhood. Insulation can block and muffle unwanted sounds from exiting or entering your home, so you live a more peaceful life.
- Environmentally Friendly: As mentioned, you can pick blown-in insulation material that is eco-friendly and affordable. You’ll feel good knowing you are doing your part to create a more sustainable world.
- Rapid, Efficient Installation: Blown-in insulation does not require an excessive amount of installation time. An experienced contractor can effectively carry out the task with minimal effort.
- Less invasive: Many homeowners don’t want people crawling around in their attics and using the joists for support (especially if the home is older). Luckily, blown-in insulation installation is less invasive.
- Fire, Mold, Insect, and Rodent Resistant: Blown-in insulation comes treated with a retardant that helps prevent mold, fire, insects, and rodents.
Recommended Blown-In Insulation R-Value
The R-value of blown-in insulation varies depending on the material. A higher R-value provides the greatest insulative power.
Cellulose blown-in insulation provides an R-8 value when applied to a depth of two inches, and the R-value increases to an R-60 at a depth of 18 ¾ inches.
Loose fiberglass fibers have an R-value of R-8 at a depth of three inches and an R-60 value at a depth of 27 ¼ inches. As you can see, it takes a greater depth of fiberglass fibers to attain an R-value than the blown-in cellulose, which is more insulative.
You’ll want to determine your desired R-value and then speak with your insulation contractor to determine the type of insulation that best fits your needs.
Types of Blown-In Insulation
There are three main types of blown-in insulation that are commonly used in homes: loose-fill fiberglass, cellulose, and rock wool. Each one has its advantages and disadvantages.
- Loose-Fill Fiberglass: Manufactured from glass, loose-fill fiberglass is made by heating glass to liquid and then spinning it into ultra-fine fibers. Typically, loose-fill fiberglass offers an R-value of 2.5 per inch.
- Cellulose: Eco-conscious homeowners love earth-friendly cellulose insulation. It is made from recycled newspaper or cardboard. Unfortunately, if the cellulose becomes wet, it quickly becomes soggy and loses its fluffiness. Once wet, its R-value plummets. Typically, cellulose insulation has an R-value of 3.7 per inch.
- Rock Wool: Rock wool is commonly referred to as mineral wool. It is made using blast furnace slag, which is a byproduct of firing iron ore and iron. Once heated, the minerals are spun into a fluffy product that looks like sheep’s wool. Rock wool has an R-value of 3.3 per inch. It provides superior fire resistance and is often required in areas of the home that are subject to strict fire codes, like between an attached garage and a house or in the floor finished room above a garage (known as a FROG room).
Pros and Cons of Blown-In Insulation
As with any form of insulation, there are pros and cons.
» Pros of blown-in insulation:
- Fills voids in the home such as existing wall studs and ceiling joints
- Offers excellent thermal value
- Quick and easy to install.
» Cons of blown-in insulation:
- Holes must be drilled into the walls of the home above each stud space so that insulation can be blown in via a flexible hose. The hole is then sealed using a plug to match the home’s exterior.
- Unseen barriers such as an outlet box or a drainpipe can hinder the blowing of the insulation leaving un-insulated voids.
- Blown-in insulation often settles after a few years, which reduces its thermal resistance.
Is Blown-in Insulation a DIY Project?
Are you wondering how to install blown-in insulation? Yes, some homeowners install blown-in insulation themselves. However, because the process involves drilling very precise holes into the wall’s stud space, which can contain pipes and electrical wiring, you should hire a professional insulation contractor to handle the task.
How Much Insulation Do I Need for My Attic?
Printed on each bag of insulation are instructions that help you determine how much square footage of space the insulation will cover. You’ll also see information on the R-value so you can determine exactly how much you need to keep your home comfortable. Each bag explains maximum coverage. When you work with a professional insulation contractor, then they will examine our attic space to determine how much insulation is required.
What’s the Cost of Blown-In Attic Insulation?
The cost of blown-in attic insulation will vary depending on the type. A standard bag of cellulose insulation can range from $11 to $30. If you are carrying out your insulation task as a DIY project, you’ll also want to factor in the cost of protective equipment such as ventilation masks and protective equipment. Also, you’ll need to rent a blower to apply the insulation to the attic space.
Remember, the task of applying blown-in insulation is not very DIY friendly, so you might want to hire an insulation contractor who already has all the necessary equipment to carry out the task. Usually, the insulation contractor will evaluate the space to determine how much insulation is needed. They will then present you with an estimate of costs that include labor. In addition, they will go over the entire process.
Consult with a Professional Insulation Contractor
Are you interested in receiving a free estimate to have blown-in insulation installed in your home? Contact Conejo Valley Home Services to learn more. We offer complete insulation services in Conejo Valley and nearby areas of Ventura County, Los Angeles County, and Santa Barbara County.
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