It’s important to know the blown in attic insulation pros and cons before making your decision. Take a look at what every homeowner should know about blown in insulation.
Advantages (pros) of Blown In Attic Insulation
Let’s start with the advantages of blown in attic insulation. We think you’ll find that it is a solid choice and might just be exactly what you’re looking for.
It’s the Best Option If You’re Not Doing a Renovation Project
If you don’t want to have to tear down walls to add insulation, blown in is the way to go. Using the batt “blanket” insulation that’s commonly used in new constructions would mean having to tear down drywall in order to get between the wall studs and ceiling joints.
With blown in insulation, you’re literally blowing the insulation into existing spaces. That makes it a low-hassle project with a big impact.
It Gets Between Tight Spaces
If your home is mysteriously drafty, there’s a good chance that it has small gaps and spaces where insulation isn’t doing its job.
Blown in insulation has the unique ability to seal little gaps to stop cold air in its tracks.
When you’re really conscience about saving energy and saving money on your utility bills, blown in insulation gets the job done.
Good R-Value
Typical blown in fiberglass insulation has an R-value of between 2.2 and 2.7 per inch. In the insulation world, a product’s R-value is the rating assigned to indicate resistance to conductive heat flow. R-value is essentially thermal resistance that directly impacts your home’s energy efficiency.
Noise Reduction
This is a little-known perk of adding blown in insulation! Yes, blown in insulation actually has noise-proofing properties that help to reduce the transfer of sounds between your home and the outside. Insulation can make a big difference if you’re within earshot of a busy road or highway.
It’s Usually More Affordable Than Other Options
Blow in insulation is priced comparably to other insulation options. However, you can enjoy cost savings when it comes to installation because this is a much easier product to install in a home when compared to other options that require contractors to place sheets of insulation.
Some homeowners do choose to install blown in insulation on their own. While feasible, this can be a tough task to do if you don’t have experience. The time and cost involved with assembling materials and renting a blower can sometimes be too much to justify a do-it-yourself approach to adding more insulation.
Use an attic insulation estimator to plug in the area width, area length and desired R-value to get an idea of project cost.
A More Comfortable Indoor Environment
With blown in attic insulation, you can have a better relationship with your thermostat. Blown in insulation is known to lock in cooler temperatures during the hot summer months. In the winter, it stops air from leaking out.
That means that you’re able to control indoor air temperatures without much variance. Many homeowners find that the annoying problem of “hot” and “cold” spots within a home go away!
Reduced Energy Costs
The same properties of blown in insulation that create a more comfortable, predictable indoor environment also reduce energy costs.
Blown in insulation seals even the smallest of cracks that allow air to leak out. This can create massive savings in energy costs over the years. Don’t be surprised if your insulation more than pays for itself in just a couple of years.
In fact, this is the biggest reason behind why so many people upgrade their insulation using blow in insulation.
Fire Protection
If you opt for blown in insulation made from fiberglass or cellulose, you’re potentially adding fire protection to your home. That’s because these materials help to create an airtight seal in your home that prevents air from flowing through tiny spaces that will stoke the flames of a fire.
Mold and Mildew Prevention
Blown in insulation is great for reducing condensation at your home.
The benefit to this is that you’ll keep moisture out of your attic. This can be a life-changing thing for homeowners who are constantly dealing with mold and mildew.
The anti-condensation properties of blown in insulation may also help to preserve the life of your roof by creating a better moisture barrier for preventing rot.
Disadvantages (cons) of Blown in Attic Insulation
While there are plenty of positive things to say, lets not fail to acknowledge some of the drawbacks when discussing blown in attic insulation pros and cons. It’s not perfect by any means, but it’s definitely a solid candidate.
It Creates Noticeable Plugs
This one is more of an aesthetic concern. When blown in insulation is added, small holes are drilled into the tops of your stud spaces on the exterior of your home. While this is a much less invasive option than insulation that requires you to tear down drywall, it will leave behind marks.
Small plugs will be left in your siding where the holes were drilled. The plugs will be matched to blend into your existing siding color. While the plugs are usually camouflaged, they can be more obvious with certain siding types.
Gaps Are Possible
While blown in insulation is great at filling in gaps, it’s not foolproof. Gaps may be left behind if there are any obstructions in the wall. Gaps are commonly created by things like outlet boxes and drainpipes. Even boards that were added for stability when a house was built can create blockages that lead to gaps.
Slight Settling
Blown in insulation can settle a few inches as the years go on.
While this isn’t considered a big deal, it will slightly reduce the R-value (thermal resistance) of your insulation. Your home will not be as energy efficient as it once was when you first installed the insulation.
This may be a deal-breaker for some, but keep in mind that this settling happens over years, not weeks or months.
Insulation Upgrade: Final Thoughts on Getting New Insulation at Your Home
The blown in attic insulation pros and cons showcase just how beneficial this option can be for a homeowner when compared to other insulation options. It’s obvious that blown in insulation can help you to create a safer, more comfortable home with reduced energy costs!
There isn’t an easier option if you want to reduce energy costs at your home using better insulation. A quick process, installation won’t require you to tear down walls, restructure anything in your home or do tons of preparation. In fact, the process will be complete in just a few hours if you bring in an insulation expert to get the job for you. That one day of work will lead to years and years of energy savings at your home!
Blown in attic insulation is a top option if you’re looking for energy savings and peace of mind without a huge financial investment. The energy savings begin when you get an estimate!