How Much Blown Insulation In Attic – Expert advice from Bob Vila, the most trusted name in home improvement, home remodeling, home improvement and DIY. Tried, true, trusted home advice
8 Things to Know About Blown-In Insulation Learn about the materials, methods and costs of this insulation solution so you can keep your home comfortable and your utility bills low.
How Much Blown Insulation In Attic
Today’s building codes require a minimum amount of insulation in walls and attics, but older homes were often underinsulated, so blown-in insulation may be the answer for some homeowners. Blown insulation consists of tiny pieces of material (think confetti) that are literally blown into walls and attics via a long hose. Keep reading to find out if tobacco insulation could be your solution to more comfortable conditions and lower energy bills.
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During new construction, batt insulation—thick strips of spun fiberglass or a paper-based product—is cut to fit between wall and ceiling joists before installing wallboard to increase insulation values. However, installing battens in most existing homes is rarely feasible, as the drywall would have to be torn down, which is a messy, expensive and time-consuming proposition. Blown-in insulation can be added to attics and walls without hassle. What’s more, this type of insulation can also seal small gaps and spaces as it settles, filling these hidden spots where cold air would otherwise enter. In addition to creating an insulating blanket, blown insulation helps reduce sound transmission between exterior and interior surfaces. indoors, so unwanted street noise will be mitigated.
To install blown-in insulation into existing walls, holes are drilled at the top of each stud space (usually on the exterior) and the material is blown in via a long, flexible hose. The hole is then sealed with a plug that matches the siding. While the plugs closely match the color of the siding, if the siding is brick or stucco, the plugs are often noticeable.
Another disadvantage of blown-in insulation for walls is that an obstruction in the wall space—such as a drain pipe, outlet box, or any other type of invisible barrier (for example, a cross board between studs that the builder may have added for stability)—can prevent it from the insulation fills the entire stud space, leaving a void without insulation.
After a few years, blown-in insulation tends to settle a few inches, which slightly lowers its overall thermal resistance (known as R-value) because it leaves a small area at the top of the stud space uninsulated. Additional insulation is an option, but most homeowners forego this step because it’s such a small area.
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Some jobs are better left to professionals. Find trusted local insulation experts and compare multiple quotes for your project.
What is tobacco insulation made of anyway? The three most common types of blown-in insulation are fiberglass, cellulose, and rock wool—each with its own advantages and disadvantages. Minimum suggested insulation values vary by geographic zone, and you can find recommended values for your region on this Energy Star map. The higher the R-value of the blown insulation, the greater the insulating effect. Not all types of blown-in insulation offer the same thermal value, but in most cases, even adding a little insulation is better than no insulation at all.
For all of the above types of insulation, hiring a professional installer will add about $15 per square foot to the labor fee. (See below for more on how to take this on as a DIY.) Federal tax credits for home insulation expired in 2011, but some homeowners can still take advantage of state tax credits, which can help offset insulation costs. Check the Department of Energy’s DSIRE website to see if you can benefit from tax credits.
Bags of cellulose and loose fiberglass insulation are readily available at most lumber and home improvement stores. However, it may be necessary to order stone wool insulation (from the same stores) as it is more of a specialty. In addition to the insulation, you will also need a blower if you intend to install it yourself. Some stores will lend you a blower for free if you buy 10 or more bags of insulation.
Blown In Cellulose Insulation
As with all home projects, it’s natural to ask, “Can I do blown insulation myself?” Blowing insulation into walls is best left to the professionals because it involves drilling into stud spaces that may contain electrical wires and pipes. However, blowing insulation in
Can be a DIY task. It doesn’t require any special skills, but it will require you to crouch under the low, sloping roof rafters to spread the insulation evenly. Follow the instructions printed on each bag of insulation and on the blower, as well as the tips below to help you complete your attic insulation project safely and successfully.
While it’s a long-term solution for most homes, will blown insulation need to be replaced at some point down the road? Generally speaking, tobacco insulation lasts from 20 years to the life of the house. Under ideal conditions (eg, professional installation, little or no water damage, minimal settling), this insulation material will retain most of its thermal resistance for decades.
Fiberglass insulation typically lasts about 80 to 100 years, but should be checked for signs of deterioration about 15 years after installation. Meanwhile, stone wool is particularly resistant to moisture and is the least likely of the blown-in insulation materials to need replacement over the life of the house, which lasts up to 100 years. Although it is the most environmentally friendly insulation option of the three, cellulose insulation only lasts an average of 20 to 30 years due to its recycled makeup and low moisture resistance. Like fiberglass insulation, homeowners should begin checking cellulose insulation in the attic for noticeable degradation about 15 years after installation.
Blown In Insulation Cost [2023 Data]
Just as do-it-yourself blown-in insulation installation is possible, it’s also doable to remove blown-in insulation from your attic yourself—with the right tools and protective gear. Contractors typically use large industrial vacuums to remove blown-in insulation, but it is possible to vacuum all insulation from an attic with a high-capacity wet/dry vacuum or HEPA vacuum. You will just have to store the contents of the vacuum cleaner more often until the attic is cleaned of insulation. Otherwise, you can rent an industrial vacuum to make the job easier or hire a professional to do the job for you (the latter will be necessary in any case when removing blown insulation from walls).
Before vacuuming insulation from the attic, protect yourself first: wear long sleeves, pants, gloves and a respirator to avoid skin or lung damage, and use a headlamp or work light so you can see what you’re doing. As with installing it, it’s also recommended that you work with a partner when removing blown insulation. After all the insulation has been removed from the attic, contact your local waste management authority for recommendations and instructions on how to properly dispose of your specific type of insulation.
How much does blown insulation cost? It depends on how it is installed. Work is an important factor; contractors generally charge between $40 and $70 per hour. Labor costs are essentially unavoidable when installing blown-in insulation in walls, but that hourly charge can be ignored by DIYers who insulate their attics themselves. However, the do-it-yourself approach comes with its own costs, as blowing machine rentals typically cost around $100 to $200 per day.
The main cost of insulation to consider is the insulation itself. Including labor, fiberglass is the most affordable of the three options at about $0.50 to $1.10 per square foot, followed by rockwool at $1.40 to $2.10 and cellulose at $2.00 to $2.30. Materials aren’t the only price driver, as required R-values for insulation according to local building codes differ between ceilings and walls. Attics (R-30 to R-60) often require higher thermal resistance than walls (R-13 to R-23). Coupled with the large surface area of most attics, this makes blown-in attic insulation more expensive than blown-in wall insulation. If you have an unfinished attic, installing tobacco – in insulation is a smart investment with numerous advantages.
Blown In Insulation Cost
We’ve compiled updated prices for loft insulation, as well as the cost of a DIY installation versus hiring a contractor.
The most common type of insulation used in most homes is blown-in insulation. It is available in a wide variety of materials, each of which has its own advantages and disadvantages.
Typically, homeowners spend between $1,250 and $1,950 to insulate a 2,500 square foot (average size) attic with R30-49 insulation. Going to 60R will add about $250 to $400 and will require a total of 16-20″ of insulation (depending on whether you use cellulose or fiberglass). This cost largely depends on whether you choose to do the job yourself (you can rent equipment from your local home improvement store) or hire a contractor. Estimate the cost of your insulation project with our new insulation calculator. Labor costs for attic insulation
It is best to hire a contractor if your attic has irregular joist spacing, obstructions and penetrations, or limited headroom/tight clearance.
Cellulose Insulation Vs Fiberglass Insulation, What’s Best For You?
Most attic insulation projects run between $1.40 and $3.60 per square foot. This assumes that
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