Different Types Of Blown Attic Insulation

There are three types of blown in insulation.

Different types of blown attic insulation.

Foam insulation may be made from polystyrene polyisocyanurate or polyurethane which are all types of plastic. Installing this type of insulation is an. Blanket batts and rolls are typically constructed with fiberglass although versions made of cotton mineral wool and plastic fibers are also available. The three most common types of blown in insulation are loose fill fiberglass cellulose and rock wool each with its own pros and cons.

All of these materials are produced using recycled waste materials. Blowing insulation into an attic the most popular project for using blown in insulation is adding insulation to attics. Loose fill insulation consists of natural or man made fibers that are blown into the ceiling cavity. Just as there are two types of blown insulation fiberglass and cellulose and two types of people those who divide everything into two groups and those who don t there are two types of spray foam open cell and closed cell.

Cellulose insulation is usually a loose fill insulation. You can also install cementitious foam insulation which is cement based. Cellulose is primarily made from recycled newsprint. Fiberglass batts cellulose loose fill fiberglass and spray foam.

This type of insulation eliminates gaps and voids missing insulation which comprimise the insulating power of your home s insulation and cost you a fortune in energy costs. The most common types of materials used for loose fill insulation include cellulose fiberglass and mineral rock or slag wool. Loose fill or batt the common term for blanket insulation. Foam insulations can be sprayed or installed in rigid foamboards.

First let s discuss the most common types of insulation available for attics. Batt or blanket insulation is made from glass or cotton fiber and comes in roll form usually in widths of 16 or 24 inches. Both can be added to uninsulated attics or layered over existing material. More options exist but these four materials make up the vast majority of installations in minnesota attics where i operate.

Because blown in insulation which is fiberglass generally can go on top of the existing insulation the negative thing about blown in insulation is that it makes the attic absolutely impassable when you re done and you need a lot more thickness of it because it has more air inside of it than you would if you used fiberglass bats. For diy attic insulation you ve got two choices. Each has its pros and cons as well as its own set of adherents who will tell you never to use the other type.