This insulation bang out, also called loose-fill insulation, improves a home’s R-value (insulation ability).
It is unlike batts or sheets of materials used to line walls to retain or keep out heat.
Blown-in insulation uses fine fibers that are “blown-in” using a blower.
The Spruce / Jason Donnelly
The filler looks like cotton candy and packs into spaces.
It is widely considered the best way toadd insulation in existing constructionfor attic spaces and wall cavities.
What Is an Insulation Blower?
An insulation blower is a machine that forces insulation into wall cavities, attics, and other spaces.
It is packaged in tightly packed bales or bags.
The machines are expensive andavailable for rent.
Some home improvement centers will loan them out for free to homeowners who are buying large quantities of insulation.
More often, though, this installation is performed by a contractor specializing in the process.
Blown-in fiberglass settles and compresses more than cellulose, reducing effectiveness against airflow.
Fiberglass creates tiny air pockets, which aren’t conducive to handling the difference in interior and exterior temperatures.
Fiberglass batting is very common but can be used as a blown-in material.
Some of these materials are pricier than others.
Aerogel is a silica mineral-based product developed by NASA that is composed of 90% air.
Sheep’s wool takes the least energy to produce all the products.
All these products can be blown using the blower system and the process described above.
It is highly processed, requires high energy to produce, and contains formaldehyde.
Advantages
Blow-in insulation offers a much faster way to improve your attic insulation significantly.
Good technicians will have techniques for getting around these obstructions.
The cost ranges from $0.50 to $3.10 per square foot.
Natural sheep’s wool is one of the most earth-friendly materials but is the most expensive loose-fill option.
The average cost of wool insulation is between$1,400 and $2,100 for 1,000 square feet.
It also has the highest insulating property, with a 3.5 to 3.8 R-value.
Mineral wool and fiberglass last the longest, about 50 years.
How much does blown-in insulation cost?Angi.
