Blown Attic Insulation Vs Batts

Blown in spray foam batts and blankets.

Blown attic insulation vs batts.

Current energy standards recommend the installation of a first layer of craft faced moisture barrier fiberglass batt. You also don t see any gaps that allow you to see all the way down to the ceiling drywall. I don t know about that but it s a common insulation material that works much better in the blown form than in batts. When insulating an attic space many homeowners ask us which is better blown in or batt insulation.

It is also preferable to use blown in insulation instead of batts rolls because the very act of blowing in the fiberglass or cellulose pieces causes them to create a seamless blanket much like a blanket of snow. Batt insulation is that it is a form of loose fill insulation as opposed to a flexible blanket. It also offers a little better thermal resistance than its counterpart. Once you ve decided which type is best for you examine the material options and prices to home in on the right product.

Blown in varieties however typically reach a peak of around a 2 8 r factor. We use both blown in and batt insulation depending on the situation at hand. The thermal performance of fiberglass insulation is directly related to its ability to trap and maintain very small pockets of air. To get the full r value of insulation it must be in contact with the conditioned space.

Batt insulation is easy to install and requires zero specialized tools to get the job done. The first difference in blown in vs. Your options for attic insulation range from radiant barriers to sheets of mineral wool but most homeowners stick with products made from cellulose or fiberglass. The answer is it depends.

Advantages of batt insulation. For diy attic insulation you ve got two choices. Notice how you don t see any of the ceiling framing down at the ceiling level. Blown in fiberglass vs fiberglass batts which is better.

We offer our review of the three most popular types of attic insulation with a look at each one s pros and cons. Batt insulation often punishes installers with fiberglass fibers that cause itching and scratching. It is sold in bags and made of materials that are of varying degrees of recycled. Loose fill or batt the common term for blanket insulation.

That is because it usually is made out of fiberglass in varying thicknesses. That s because blown insulation is great at filling the gaps and giving you a good complete layer of insulation. Batts must be cut tightly and you can t have gaps. Sloppy people aren t suited for this job.

The photo above shows an attic insulated with blown cellulose. Blown in fiberglass creates a seamless blanket in your attic. Both can be added to uninsulated attics or layered over existing material.