When it comes to adding or replacing the insulation in your attic, there are several types of insulation to choose from. Two of the more common forms of insulation are blown-in insulation and rolled insulation, which is also referred to as batt insulation. Although both forms of insulation are effective, we prefer to work with blown-in insulation for a number of reasons.
What is Blown-in Insulation?
Blown-in insulation is typically made using materials (often recycled materials) such as fiberglass, denim, paper, newsprint and other cellulose materials, all of which have been treated using fire retardant materials. The chemicals used to treat these materials are non-toxic and safe for use. Blown-in insulation is applied using a blowing machine. We use CertainTeed’s TrueComfort system, which is a portable and easy to operate system that allows us to apply their fiberglass insulation.
What is Rolled Insulation?
Rolled insulation is probably what you picture when you think about what insulation might look like. It’s basically similar to a carpet in that you can measure it to the size of your attic and then just “roll” it out across the floor. Rolled insulation is commonly used not just in the attic space, but also in basements, floors, crawlspaces and sidewalls.
The Differences Between Blown-in and Rolled Insulation
In terms of R-value, they tend to be equal, although you can choose rolled insulation with varying R-values depending on your needs and your budget. The lower the R-value is, the less effective it will be as insulation – although it will be cheaper as well. Rolled insulation is also easier to apply in a DIY sense, since all you have to do is measure it out for the space you want to lay it down on, cut it to those measurements and then lay it down. However, the attic is often a tricky space to insulate due to the odd nooks and crannies that attics often contain – especially in the corners where the roof meets the floor. In such situations, blown-in insulation is much more effective since it allows you to easily insulate those hard to reach areas.
Another thing to keep in mind is that blown-in insulation can be more cost-effective depending on the attic situation. While you may have to take down drywall or remove flooring in order to lay down rolled insulation, blown-in insulation can be applied through small holes drilled into the cavities between the studs. Although you’ll need a professional to apply the blown-in insulation, it will only take a matter of hours to complete the job, whereas rolled insulation can take days to lay down depending on the complexity of the job.
Insulation Installation in Baltimore
As you can see, both rolled insulation and blown-in insulation are good options; however, blown-in insulation does have a few more advantages going for it, including ease-of-use and the ability to insulate hard to reach areas. For more information about our blown-in insulation services or our roofing services, be sure to contact us at Park Heights Roofing today.