Blown In Attic Insulation

Blown in attic insulation is an efficient, cost effective approach to modulating temperatures in your house. Because heated air tends to rise to the top of a building, a significant percentage of the heated air in your home ends up in the recesses of your attic in the winter months. To prevent the loss of heat from the interior of your dwelling and the infiltration of cold air from outside, you must buffer these areas with some form of insulation.

Blown in insulation materials are easy to add to your attic space, as well as cost effective and affordable. Insulating an attic with blown in cellulose is a project that savvy homeowners can complete themselves. However, it pays to consult a licensed contractor before undertaking this project, to ensure that you choose materials that provide the most insulating capacity at prices that fit your budget. With the help of a qualified professional, you know that the job will be done to the correct specifications, so that your rooms stay comfortable throughout the year.

Insulation Materials and Methods

Any residential building has multiple areas that leave the interior exposed to drafts, extremes of temperature, dust, pollutants or pests. Insulating an attic is an important preventive measure that, like an exhaust fan, can cut your heating and cooling costs considerably while making your rooms much more livable in summer and winter. Whether you add blown in attic insulation to the entire space, or only to the areas surrounding a bonus room or storage area, you'll notice an appreciable difference in the way your house feels after you've completed this project.

Fiberglass is one of the most widely used materials for insulating attics. Batts, or large sheets, of fiberglass may be applied along the floors and walls of an attic space to seal out exterior drafts and seal in warm or cool air. However, many homeowners prefer to have the insulating materials blown in to achieve the correct R-value. The R-value of a material measures its ability to block the flow of heat. A material with a high R-value -- whether it's cellulose, fiberglass, wood, glass, vinyl or aluminum -- is highly efficient at preventing heat loss from your home.

Cellulose insulation, when blown into the upper areas of your house, provides exceptional insulating capacity. Cellulose is also more affordable and more environmentally friendly than fiberglass. In addition, working with cellulose may be safer than handling fiberglass, which contains tiny, potentially harmful particles that can infiltrate the lungs if you aren't wearing the right protective gear. As homeowners become aware of the advantages of using cellulose, this "green" product is becoming increasingly popular as a blown in attic insulation alternative.

If you're planning to remodel the upper room of your home, include blown in attic insulation in your remodeling plans. A licensed home improvement contractor can give you ideas for making the most of these spaces without losing valuable heated or cooled air. With the proper planning and preparation, blown in attic insulation can easily be added to the areas around the living spaces to achieve maximum comfort throughout your house. Along with the increased energy efficiency, you'll appreciate having lower utility bills, especially in the winter.

Do It Yourself Attic Insulation

With the right equipment and materials, it's fairly easy to insulate the exposed spaces at the top of your house. However, you may achieve more effective results if you consult a licensed contractor before you begin the process. In order to achieve the most effective results and the proper R-value, the thickness of the blown in attic insulation must be calculated carefully. A professional can ensure that the right amount of insulation is blown in to prevent the loss of heat from your home.

After calculating the square footage that needs to be covered, a professional will block any vents and heating or lighting fixtures so that they won't be affected as the insulating material is blown in. Blown in attic insulation is sprayed into the open spaces using a blower. If you decide to install blown in attic insulation yourself, a blower may be rented at home improvement outlets or hardware stores. Review detailed instructions with photos illustrating the right technique for blowing cellulose into the desired areas.

If you choose to hire a professional contractor to complete this project, compare estimates from a number of experts in your area to find the team that offers the most reasonable prices. Along with the cost of insulating your house, consider the team's reputation in your community. Look for licensed professionals with a solid record of customer satisfaction and extensive experience with blown in attic insulation. A trusted team will accomplish the task correctly, using the right materials and correct calculations for thickness and R-value, so that your residence is comfortable year round.