Because blow insulation is injected with a machine, the product can easily fit into narrow, rare-shaped areas, better insulating those areas. Blown fiberglass insulation can have a lifespan of up to 100 years. Fiberglass block insulation has a maximum lifespan of 20 years. Blown cellulose insulation is environmentally friendly, blocks air more effectively than any other insulation and offers a level of fire protection.
However, blown cellulose insulation is made from recycled materials and will begin to degrade between the ages of 15 and 30. Current building codes require a minimum amount of insulation on walls and attics, but older homes used to be insufficiently insulated, so the solution for some homeowners may be blow insulation. Blow insulation consists of small pieces of material (such as confetti) that are literally inserted into walls and attics through a long hose. Keep reading to find out if blown insulation could be your solution to achieving conditions more comfortable and lower energy bills.
During a new construction, thick strips of spun fiberglass or a paper-based product are cut to fit between wall studs and ceiling beams before placing the wall panel to increase insulation values. However, installing blocks in most existing homes is rarely feasible, as drywall would have to be knocked down, a complicated, expensive and time-consuming proposition. Blow insulation can be added to attics and walls without complications. In addition, this type of insulation can also seal small gaps and spaces as it settles, filling those sneaky spots where air would otherwise enter cold.
In addition to creating an insulating blanket, blown insulation helps reduce sound transfer between outside and inside, so unwanted street noise is also softened. To install blow insulation on existing walls, holes are drilled in the upper part of each pillar (usually outside) and the material is introduced through a long, flexible hose. The hole is then sealed with a plug that matches the coating. While the plugs closely match the color of the coating, if the coating is made of brick or stucco, the earplugs are usually noticeable.
Another disadvantage of blow insulation for walls is that an obstruction in the wall space, such as a drain pipe, an outlet box or any other type of invisible barrier (for example, a cross between the uprights that the builder could have added for greater stability) can prevent the insulation from filling the entire space of the uprights, leaving a void without insulation. After a few years, blown insulation tends to settle down a few centimeters, slightly reducing its overall thermal resistance (known as the R value), as it leaves a small section at the top of the column space uninsulated. Adding additional insulation is an option, but most homeowners skip this step because it's a very small area. What is blow insulation made of anyway? The three most common types of blow insulation are loose-filled fiberglass, cellulose, and rockwool, each with their own advantages and disadvantages.
Suggested minimum insulation values vary by geographic area, and you can find the recommended values for your region on this Energy Star map. The higher the R value of blow insulation, the greater the insulating effect. Not all types of blow insulation offer the same thermal value, but in most cases, even adding a little bit of insulation is better than adding nothing. Loosely filled bags of cellulose and fiberglass insulation are available at most sawmills and home improvement stores.
However, it may be necessary to order rockwool insulation (in the same stores), because it is more of a special item. In addition to insulation, you'll need a fan if you're going to install it yourself. Some stores will lend you a fan free of charge if you buy 10 or more bags of insulation. As with all housing projects, it's natural to ask: “Can I do the blow insulation myself? It is best to leave insulation in the hands of professionals by blowing insulating materials into the walls, as it involves drilling holes that may contain pipes and electrical cables.
However, blowing insulation into an attic can be a DIY task. No special skills are required, but you need to crouch under the low, sloping beams of the attic to distribute the insulation evenly. Follow the instructions printed on each insulation bag and on the fan, as well as the tips below to complete an attic insulation project safely and successfully. While it's a long-term solution for most homes, will the built-in insulation need to be blown replaced sometime along the way? Generally speaking, blow insulation lasts between 20 years and the entire lifespan of a house.
Under ideal conditions (e.g., fiberglass insulation usually lasts between 80 and 100 years), but should be checked for signs of damage about 15 years after installation. Rock wool, on the other hand, is particularly resistant to moisture and, among the insulating materials used by blowing, is the one that is least likely to have to be replaced throughout the useful life of a home, since it lasts up to 100 years. While it is the most environmentally friendly of the three blown insulation options, cellulose insulation only lasts 20 to 30 years on average due to its recycled composition and low moisture resistance. Like fiberglass insulation, homeowners should begin checking cellulose insulation in the attic for noticeable degradation around 15 years after installing it.
You will only have to bag the contents of the vacuum cleaner more often until the attic frames are free of insulation. The best method to keep mice and other bugs away from the attic and place a blow insulator is to block each and every one of the entrances that surround the outside of the house. Just as it is possible to install blow insulation yourself, it is also possible to blow off the insulation from the attic on your own with the appropriate tools and protective equipment. With the built-in insulation and the mice, they will go through the ducts of your house and form a nest inside the blown insulation.
Materials are not the only factor that determines price, since the R values that local building codes require for insulation vary depending on the attics and walls. Built-in insulation doesn't expand like sprayed foam insulation, reducing its efficiency if you do your own installation. Blow insulation fills the areas between the ceiling beams and the uprights of existing walls, leaving those areas that the rolled insulation cannot reach.
