Insulation’s value
Insulation, as many New Englanders already know, is an important factor in keeping a home warm in the winter and cool in the summer while also saving energy. Nothing is more frustrating than knowing that your hard-earned money is floating away because of old or inadequate insulation. For many older homes throughout Connecticut, especially those dating back to the turn of the century of even Colonial times, insulation wasn’t even a consideration.
Which means that insulating these older homes today can cost a significant amount and pose an exceptional challenge for even the most experienced contractor. That’s why blown-in insulation is such an important factor when considering re-insulating your existing home.
The challenge with traditional insulation
When facing the daunting challenge of re-insulating a home, the question arises of how to achieve that without tearing down the walls to expose the framing underneath? Often, homeowners wait until they plan a major remodel of a room, or the entire house, before tackling insulation. This doesn’t have to be the case; you don’t have to continue tossing money out the window waiting for that year to come along when you decide to remodel your home.
Blown-in insulation
There are several different kinds of blown-in insulation to choose from. Fiberglass, cellulose, and foam are the most common types. These can either be sprayed in or blown in and by using this form of insulation, a typical homeowner can save between twenty to thirty percent on their energy bills.
If you go down to your local home improvement store, such as Home Depot or Lowe’s, you’ll be able to find a number of do-it-yourself spray-in or blown-in insulation methods. While this may seem like an easy thing to do, these cans are intended for small, isolated projects, not major insulation throughout a home. The learning curve with these methods often brings about more problems than they solve for inexperienced individuals and is not highly recommended.
One of the reasons for this is that blown-in insulation is designed to adhere to the interior surface of the wall and, as such, tends to stick to everything else, as well, including skin, furniture, and flooring.
Fiberglass blown-in insulation
This is one of the most popular choices for blown-in insulation for attics and other hard-to-reach areas. During the application process, the proper technique is crucial. Overblowing can occur if the applicator is not experienced in the technique. Overblowing is when the desired depth is reached but not enough insulation is added to achieve the desired rating.
Manufacturers of fiberglass blown-in insulation usually list specific recommendations for depth-to-density, usually noted in bags to be applied per square foot.
Cellulose blown-in insulation
This form of blown-in insulation contains up to 85% recycled newsprint. Borate and ammonium sulfate make up the rest of the mixture and also acts as a fire retardant. These chemicals are also an excellent deterrent for rodents, mold, and even insects within the walls. Cellulose blown-in insulation is popular because it also fills in many corners and gaps that traditional insulation misses.
Saving energy with insulation
Most homeowners already understand the importance of saving energy and that proper insulation of their home is the first and most important line of defense. Existing insulation may not be performing to desired results. If this is the case, then consider blown-in insulation when you’re ready to start saving energy.
Consult with a professional contractor who will walk you through your options and the best recommendations for your home.
