Insulation in the attic, especially when using insulation material like blow-in insulation, could give you many benefits, including energy savings, soundproofing, and moisture prevention. If you’re looking for a cost-effective approach to insulating your attic, blow-in insulation might be the way to go.
Blow-in insulation, a form of loose-fill insulation, is ideal for attics with uneven joist spacing, particularly in older homes or low ceilings. The question is, how to blow insulation in the attic? Here are the 4 essential steps on how to blow insulation in the attic.
How to Blow Insulation in Attic
- Use a safety outfit and gear
It is mandatory to use goggles, respirator masks, clothes that cover your entire body, rubber anti-slip shoes and gloves. Gear you need to prepare before blow insulation is plywood to stand on, a lantern to light up the attic, and a headlamp.
Most importantly, don’t forget your blow-in insulation machine. If you feel the machine is too expensive, you can just simply rent it. It comes along with the hoes.
- Prepare the attic
You must first set your attic before blowing the insulation. Any water lines should be wrapped. Make sure there are no holes or air gaps.If there is, then you must seal it first. If the gap is quite big, you will need some caulk, but if it’s just a small hole, you can just use spray foam.
Create a border around the furnace vent. Ensure all your recessed lights are bordered with a box with 3 inch clearance.
- Ready to insulate
Create a barrier in your attic space to keep the insulation from spreading, which is essential for maintaining effective heating and cooling efficiency. To help guide the overall thickness of the insulation, place pieces of wood in a few areas around the attic (around 12-15 inches). Try to remember the position of your lighting and other utilities. You can draw it for future adjustments.
- Blow-in Insulation Installation
For installing blown insulation, you will need help from another person to speed up the process, making it one of the more manageable DIY projects. This will be a very tiring process if you are a one-man show. Ready the machine, and start blowing the insulation to the farthest area from the door.
How to Blow Cellulose Insulation in the Attic
Generally, the steps on how to blow cellulose insulation in the attic are pretty similar. The only difference is the fill bags you use are cellulose. This is also related to the cost you will spend for the insulation process. Usually, cellulose fill is cheaper than the loose-fill fiberglass.
One bag of cellulose fill only cost around $11. You also need to know the R-value or the heat flow resistance of the insulation. The higher the R-value, the more amount of fill you’ll need. The average blow-in insulation cost in total is $1,401, though prices may vary.
When considering how much insulation you’ll need, it’s important to calculate the R-value required for your specific attic. This will depend on your climate and the existing insulation. Additionally, while blow-in insulation can be a DIY project, it’s crucial to follow safety guidelines and consider hiring a professional if you’re unsure about any part of the process.
Those are the things you should know on how to blow insulation in the attic. When you choose a reputable blown-in insulation contractor, you should expect them to provide you with a warranty. However, if you decide to perform it yourself, you must be prepared to maintain the insulation in the event that something goes wrong.
