There are a lot of things to consider prior to deciding on the type of insulation you want in your residence. One of the most crucial decisions you need to make is about the type of insulation you decide to select. There are various types and materials of insulation that are available, like batt insulation, blow-in insulation, and rolls. You must be aware of their distinct characteristics and R values prior to making an informed choice. Attic Insulation Labs can provide you with details on the various kinds of insulation that might fit your needs, and can answer the blown in insulation vs. batt insulation issue for you!
Blankets (Batts or Rolls)
This kind of insulation is usually referred to "batts" as well as "rolls" which is blanket-like insulation with a flexible structure which is suitable for basic and easily accessible places. Batts and rolls are able to be utilized in areas that are not standard but they'll need to be cut down to dimensions. The "blankets" are available in medium, high and standard density constructions. They are comprised of fiberglass, rock wool and other similar materials for insulation. Batt insulation is able to be installed in the right places however it is difficult to accommodate in difficult or difficult-to-access places.
Insulator with Blown-in
The name itself suggests that blow-in insulation is a kind of loose-fill insulation which is literally "blown into" to the wall cavity. Blown-in insulation is usually composed of recycled materials which includes loose-fill fiberglass (made from 75 percent recycled material) along with cellulose which is made up in recycled paper. Cellulose is typically less expensive than fiberglass and also has a better R-value. This means that it can keep heat better. Insulation that is blow-in requires a special "blowing machine" to be installed which permits Attic Insulation Labs to efficiently blast the insulation in your desired space effortlessly.
What's Batt Insulation?
Batt insulation can be described as a made to order that is available in a variety of dimensions and values. The insulation is purchased direct from the manufacture in order to adhere to the general building codes. Batts for insulation in the attic are made of felt that are designed to fit in between the frame of the house (usually 16 inches or 24 inches across) . Based on the climate of your region, you might require multiple layers in order to maximize energy savings.
Certain batt insulation has foil or paper facing to prevent moisture problems They are also known by the names of "faced" or "Kraft" insulation. The insulation that is faced is typically installed in walls since the material that absorbs moisture is usually flammable and, therefore, by code in certain situations, isn't permitted to be used in attics, walls or crawl spaces. Batts are available in various R-values (thickness) and, depending on the climate in your location, you may require multiple layers in order to increase energy efficiency.
Batts insulation installation is a process that requires experienced employees who are able to work in the space you're trying to insulate. For homes with attics and crawl spaces that aren't accessible batts insulation may not be an alternative and you'll be required to look at blown insulation instead. Blown insulation is installed using a special machine that "shoots" it into the air, and so it will be much more easy for the insulation to set in small, hard to reach places.
Benefits Of Batt Insulation
Accessibility Customers require easy access to all areas that are not finished in their homes. The most important systems are located in these areas. If your plumbing or HVAC system fails, you'll have to contact an expert. If you don't have quick access the problem could be more difficult to repair. If you are comparing batts for attic insulation against. blow batts, the latter are simpler to put in.
Easy to maintain If you have to fix any of your systems within your attic A professional will have to remove certain areas of insulation in order so that it is easier to see. It is not possible to restore the insulation to its original condition. In most cases, the expert leaves your home with badly and damaged or deteriorated insulation. It is possible that you will require an expert to finish the repair , rather than making an attempt to repair it yourself. Batt insulation can repair a small portion of insulation, instead of the entire wall.
Practical and long-lasting When you are comparing batt insulation with. blow cellulose, bear the fact that batt insulation acts as an efficient thermal barrier. The thermal properties of loose fill insulation won't last for the lifetime of the construction. A majority of insulation materials blown-in will settle and decrease their R-value as time passes. The blown-in cellulose can also take in water as time passes, which can cause the insulation to join. Batt insulation is more resistant to moisture and will last longer.
Activity of rodents If you've experienced rodent activity in your crawl or attic space batt insulation can be more efficient. Rodents can dig into the insulation that has been blown in, making it difficult to locate them. Batt insulation can identify rodents and repair an insignificant panel. It is possible to create an baiting station and then fill in access points to stop rodents from getting into your home.
What is Blowing (Loose fill) Insulation?
"Loose-fill", also known as blow-in insulation refers to this process that fills in stud or joist spaces with insulation for the attic or on walls. The process is performed with a machine that mix the material before directing it through a hose , creating an even insulated surface.
Loose-fill insulation consists of millions of pieces of insulation that creates air pockets, which ensure greater insulation power. Because the pieces are small and can be blown around, it can be used to cover even small areas that are difficult to access, consequently this technique is considered to be an excellent thermal barrier.
In contrast to batt insulation and blown insulation, blown insulation isn't provided with a specific R number, therefore the more insulation you blow, the higher it will be. The insulation contractors typically use the insulation ruler in order to make sure the right R-value is installed.
What is R-Value?
R-value is the industry norm for measuring the resistance to cool or heat air flowing through it. The higher the R-Value for your insulation the higher the resistance. However, it is just one aspect that determines the efficiency of insulation and is the only one factor to be considering when making your choice on the type of insulation that is ideal to use in your house. The values of R-values on your insulation's label. The total value of the R-value in your attic will be the sum of the R-value as well as the square feet of the crawl space. Blow-in and batt insulation have different R-values, based on the type of material.
When we think about the principal function of insulation, it's used to stop the flow of heat. It is a force that is able to move into and out of your house in four ways, however the primary one that is measured by R-Value is conduction. The 3 other ways we should take into consideration are sun radiation air infiltration as well as convection. Inince your home is constructed on the outside, environmental factors like changes in temperature, humidity and winds all take place and directly impact the conditions of the indoor air.
R-Value Comparative
- Fiberglass (Batts)
- R-Value of ~3.4 Per Inch
- Fiberglass (Blown)
- R-Value of ~4.3 Per Inch
- Cellulose
- R-Value of ~3.9 Per Inch
- Mineral Wool (Rockwool)
- R-Value of ~3.4 Per Inch
- Open Cell Foam
- R-Value of ~3.6 Per Inch
- Closed Cell Foam
- R-Value of ~6.5 Per Inch
What Kind Of Insulation Do I Need Blasts Or Blown?
It is essential to recognize that insulation contractors and manufacturers are not always able to give the most effective advice on what insulation you should put in this is due to the fact that they don't have all the relevant information about the design of your crawl or attic space. We suggest approximately 95 percent of our customers installing batt insulation, and here's why:
1. Batt insulation is easily accessible and easy to clean.
We believe that our clients need to be able to access the entire unfinished portion of their house since the most critical systems are situated within these spaces. This includes your home's HVAC plumbing central vacuum, air vents lighting fixtures, electrical wires and more.
If your system is malfunctioning, you'll need to contact a professional, and should you not be able to access the system, it may be a longer time to repair or in some instances may not even be possible.
The issues that could arise are the following:
- The HVAC system has to be maintained and all wires are covered in blow-blown insulation.
- The dryer vent was cut off
- The recessed lights has stopped working and the electrician is unable to find it since it's covered by blow-up insulation.
Our most memorable example is the customer who called an HVAC company to repair the air vents. It was nearly impossible for the team to know the right direction to take since all of the holes were covered in blow insulation. One of the men ended up landing their feet onto the sheetrock. He then lost balance, and fell through an attic ceiling straight in the room.
In the event that you have to repair some of the equipment within your attic area, the professional must move or vacuum some of the insulation that has been blown in so that he can have greater visibility and be able to complete his job. After that is done it is impossible to return the insulation to its original condition, and in many instances, the technician will leave your attic with uneven, damaged insulation that is not able to maintain the R-value that it had previously. For you, as homeowner, there's nothing you can do about this from happening, as it is essential for the service professional to finish the work.
2. Batt insulation helps keep your attic storage friendly.
If you have a large attic, you may want to keep things in storage such as suitcases, boxes or Christmas decor. Batt insulation can help keep your possessions tidy secure, safe and easily accessible.
3. Batt insulation is much more efficient over the course of the structure.
In fact, blow-in insulation is believed superior an energy barrier, however it is temporary and won't be maintained for the duration of the structure. The majority of insulation products blown in will begin to settle and lose their R-value with time. Cellulose, an extremely sought-after insulation materials in use today is prone absorb moisture over time. This causes the insulation to join. This can have a negative impact on the performance in the performance of insulation.
4. Batt insulation is more effective for dealing with rodents (past or present ).
If you're experiencing rodent activity it is highly recommended not install blow-in insulation. It is much easier for rodents such as mice, rodents, squirrels, and rodents to make their homes inside blown insulation, and it is more difficult for you to recognize and address the issue. The insulation that is blown-in can make it difficult to set up baiting stations and locate points of entry that are made by rodents in their quest to find warmth and shelter within the attic's insulation.
It's also twice as difficult and costly to treat the blown-in insulation damaged by rodents, than treating batt insulation. This is the reason why let's consider an example where only a tiny portion of your insulation has been damaged. When you use batt insulation, it is easy to spot and fix the damaged portion. It is possible to make it yourself on a sunny day. If rodents have damaged your insulation that was blown in, it'll be difficult to replace just the damaged part. You are required to seek assistance from a professional. It is necessary to engage an organization that is specialized in removal of insulation and uses an industrial-grade vacuum and insulation equipment. In many instances, you'll have to replace all of your attic's insulation , which will cost you many thousands.
