Insulation is a very important feature in your home. As a means of protection against the outside air and mildew, as well as ensuring your energy bills remain at a normal level, having your home properly insulated is key. There are many different types of insulation available to you. One of the most popular types is blown-in insulation. Blown-in insulation is very affordable and unlike other types of insulation, is able to be installed in hard-to-reach places. Our Specialists are trained to determine the best, custom fit for your home. We’d love to assist you in your education process. Here we will discuss in further detail all about blown-in insulation, its capabilities, usages, and materials.
Blown-In Insulation: Cost
Blown-in insulation is used to maintain a constant temperature in your home’s spaces, most often the attic and rooms above the garage. Your wallet will thank you, as your home will remain cool in the summer and warm in the winter without excessive costs. The cost of blown-in insulation varies substantially. This is due specifically to the location of the insulation and the square footage of the space. Insulating attic space is cheaper than an exterior wall, while smaller spaces obviously will cost less than larger spaces. Blown-in insulation projects can range anywhere from $750 upwards of $5000 depending on the factors discussed previously.
Blown-In Insulation: What is it?
Blown-in insulation is a loose-leaf, fluffy form of insulation. It is installed using a blower machine and through a large hose is blown into an open space. Due to its small loose-fill size, it can be blown into tight spaces and areas that are hard to reach. Blown-in insulation can be made out of three different types of materials: fiberglass insulation, cellulose insulation, or rockwool insulation.
R-Value: What is it?
Each type of insulation is measured by its R-value. What is this? An R-value simply represents the heat resistance capabilities of the insulation. Insulation with higher R-values will be able to withstand greater temperatures. Our Specialists will help you determine the required R-value for your home based off of your location.
Types of Blown-In Insulation
There are three main types of insulation. Each comes with its own benefits and capabilities. Our specialists will be able to sit down and discuss with you the best fit for your home. Depending on your home’s geographical location, the size of the space, and your specific desires for its function, certain types of insulation would be more beneficial than others. The three main types of insulation are blown-in insulation, cellulose insulation, and rock wool insulation. Depending on where you live, certain R-values are required for your insulation. Again, our specialists are experts in this and will be able to ensure your home is up to code and protected. These are the recommended R-values based on your geographical location.
Fiberglass Insulation
Fiberglass insulation comes in loose-fill and batt forms. It is incredibly light and fluffy. It is composed of glass that is heated to an incredible temperature, turning it into a liquid. This liquid is then spun into very fine fibers to form the fiberglass pieces. Fiberglass insulation can be installed either as loose-fill tiny pieces or batt pieces. Loose-fill is blown into the attic space using a special vacuum. It offers an R 2.5 thermal value per inch. To achieve a basic R-19 batt value, you’d need to install 7.5 inches of fiberglass blown-in insulation
Cellulose Insulation
Cellulose insulation is an eco-friendly option, as it is made of recycled cardboard and newspaper. As it is composed of paper, it is specially treated to be able to resist mold and mildew, as well as fire. It is the most commonly used insulation on the market. It is important to note that if the cellulose insulation becomes soggy, it will no longer be fluffy, losing its R-value. Cellulose insulation has a greater R thermal value than fiberglass. It has an R-3.7 thermal value. To achieve R-19 insulation value, you’d need about 5 inches of cellulose insulation.
Rockwool Insulation
Rockwool insulation also referred to as “mineral wool,” is composed of blast furnace slag. Slag is a byproduct of iron and iron ore. It is heated to an extremely high temperature and then spun into insulation. It has the texture of raw sheep’s wool. Just slightly lower than cellulose insulation, rockwool insulation has an R-value of 3.3 per inch. Rockwool insulation is specifically known for its fire resistance capabilities. It is often used in spaces that require strict adherence to fire codes, such as a bonus room above the garage and the wall connecting a house and its garage.
Blown-In Insulation Location
Believe it or not, the location of space has a direct effect on the price of the project. Building codes require certain R-values for certain spaces in the home. The insulation price therefore will be affected, as spaces requiring higher R-values demand the use of more insulation. An average wall requires an R-value of R-13 to R-23. However, attics vary from requiring R-30 to R-60. So be aware that if you are needing your attic space filled, it will be a more costly endeavor.
Sealing the Space
In addition to adding insulation into space to maximize efficiency and energy performance, another important project is to air seal your home. Open gaps between an attic and a living space can permit air drafts to enter, making the space very cold in the winter and hot and humid in the summer. To prevent this unwanted air from entering, we offer air sealing. We will seal these spaces to ensure no outside air can leak in, helping reduce your energy bills and maximize the efficiency of your home.
Mold Remediation
Homes that are not properly insulated are at risk for a lot of issues, including mold growth. High humidity in a space is a dangerous game, not only for your energy bills but also for the health and safety of your home. Any water leaks or damage can also have a huge effect on your home. Mold thrives in warm, humid, wet environments. Therefore it is essential to protect your home from these conditions. If your home suffers from mold in the walls or attic, prior to installing new insulation, it is imperative that you have the mold treated and/or removed. Our team will be able to identify and treat the specific type of mold in your home and rid of the infestation. Moreso, we will be able to protect your home going forward from any new growth.
Benefits of Blown-In Insulation
Installing blown-in insulation in your home will provide many important benefits to your home’s safety, longevity, and efficiency. A home properly insulated will minimize excessive heat and cold during the seasons, decrease energy costs, protect the home from structural damage, and increase its overall value.
Reduced Energy Bills
This is one of the greatest benefits of a home properly outfitted with insulation: reduced energy bills. When an attic or wall space is insulated correctly, the A/C and heaters do not have to work as often or as much to maintain a comfortable temperature in your home. You will experience an immediate reduction in your energy bills upon installing blown-in insulation.
Fireproof
Another great feature of insulating your home is the peace of mind you will have knowing that your home is properly safeguarded against the spread of fire. Having blown-in insulation installed in your attic space will slow the spread of a fire, should it occur. This would provide you and your family additional time to escape your home. Air sealing is another great feature in this endeavor, as it will provide yet another protection against fire retardation.
Soundproof
In addition to the benefits discussed above, blown-in insulation has the added benefit of providing a sound barrier between the walls of your home. The greater the R-value installed in the spaces, the greater the soundproofing benefits you will experience.
Moisture Reduction
As discussed previously, an attic space that is not properly sealed is at risk for mold, mildew, and hot air growth and entrance. If hot air is sneaking into your home, when it comes in contact with a cold surface, condensation forms. Think of grabbing a cold beer out of the fridge on a hot summer day. This is the same thing your attic experiences. This condensation can cause great damage to the space, destroying the wood and providing a perfect space for mold to grow. Insulation, both on the floor and inside the walls themselves, serves as a great barrier to this occurring.
Increased Home Value
By installing these additional securities and protections in your home, naturally, your home will also increase in value. Your home is undergoing renovation to ensure its longstanding protection and efficiency. This is a great selling point, should you choose to sell your home in the future. Buyers love to know that their home is energy efficient, fire protected and sealed off from the outdoors.