Different Types Of Blown Attic Insulation

There are five main types of insulation that you may encounter.

Different types of blown attic insulation.

Most fiberglass products contain 40 to 60 recycled glass. Once you ve decided which type is best for you examine the material options and prices to home in on the right product. Foam insulation may be made from polystyrene polyisocyanurate or polyurethane which are all types of plastic. For diy attic insulation you ve got two choices.

Blanket batts and rolls are typically constructed with fiberglass although versions made of cotton mineral wool and plastic fibers are also available. Both can be added to uninsulated attics or layered over existing material. Cellulose insulation is usually a loose fill insulation. There are three types of blown in insulation.

More options exist but these four materials make up the vast majority of installations in minnesota attics where i operate. 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. Loose fill insulation consists of natural or man made fibers that are blown into the ceiling cavity. Blowing insulation into an attic the most popular project for using blown in insulation is adding insulation to attics.

Each has its pros and cons as well as its own set of adherents who will tell you never to use the other type. The three most common types of blown in insulation are loose fill fiberglass cellulose and rock wool each with its own pros and cons. First let s discuss the most common types of insulation available for attics. The most common types of materials used for loose fill insulation include cellulose fiberglass and mineral rock or slag wool.

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. Fiberglass batts cellulose loose fill fiberglass and spray foam. Foam insulations can be sprayed or installed in rigid foamboards. 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.

Loose fill or batt the common term for blanket insulation. All of these materials are produced using recycled waste materials. Batt or blanket insulation is made from glass or cotton fiber and comes in roll form usually in widths of 16 or 24 inches.