Blown-In Vs. Batts Insulation

Choosing the ideal insulation material to use for your home could be very challenging. It is a difficult choice to make because insulation can be costly and replacing one that doesn't work out well would be such a waste of time and money. For instance, if you've checked on most insulation types and have come down to choosing blown-in vs. batts insulation, it's best to know about their differences, pros, and cons.

When you're getting your property insulated, there are important factors to consider. More than just the price of the materials and installation, you also have to think of where the insulation is going, how it would be constructed and how that kind of material seals off successfully when there are outside elements.

Batts Insulation (Blanket or Rolled Insulation)

Many homeowners have been choosing batts insulation for the longest time primarily because of its inexpensive price. It is quite easy to install and very lightweight. Aside from the fact that this is decent insulation choice, it is also designed to fit in standard building joint spacing too. That’s why it’s so easy to install in conventional building spaces. Even if you need to fit it into non-conventional spaces it can still work. You just need to have it cut to perfection. This job, especially when working with fiber glass-based batts insulation, can be messy and can get quite itchy especially when you have sensitive skin. It is best to contact a licensed insulation contractor to do this for you as they are equipped with the necessary safety clothing and gear.

Rolled insulation comes in standard, medium, and high-density thicknesses. It’s usually composed of natural fibers such as fiberglass, wool, and there are times when it has some mineral components too. It can also use a layer of paper or foil as a vapor barrier.

Blown-In Insulation

You need special equipment when mixing and applying blown-in insulation. Materials used can be made of several different recycled components and these usually consist of miner wools, fiberglass, and cellulose, a material usually obtained from recycled newspapers. The cellulose in the mix is the key ingredient because it has a higher R-value than the other components and helps keep the cost of the mixture down.

The biggest advantage of blown-in insulation is that since it’s blown into place it easily takes the shape of the area it’s blown into. That makes it the preferred choice of insulation to use in non-standard spaces. Blown-in insulation will not move once it has dried either. It also has on average a higher R-value than batts insulation when you compare similar thicknesses of each insulation type.

However, it comes with some disadvantages too. For instance, you can waste a whole lot of material when you attempt to create a mixture on your own without the right equipment. Because special equipment is necessary, blown-in insulation is more expensive compared to batts insulation.

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More Factors to Consider When Choosing an Insulation Material

Lack of knowledge leads some people to believe that they only need to find out about the R-value of an insulation material when making a decision. While R-value is important, there are plenty of other considerations to consider. For instance, you have to know more about convection, radiant heat transfer, and air infiltration.

For example, even well-constructed buildings can develop cracks and air gaps over time. Batts insulation with an R-value of R-19 is considered to be a pretty decent form of insulation. However, if on a particular day you have a steady 18 mph wind, the heat loss through batts insulation will make it less effective because convection and air infiltration will help the heat simply bypass the laid in batts insulation.

With pneumatically or spray applied cellulose insulation, you can minimize the effects of convection, air infiltration, and radiant heat transfer. It does this because it follows the shape of the structure and seals to the surfaces it’s applied to. That’s why cellulose-based blown-in insulation is a good choice because it stops all four heat transfer factors. It will even help stop the rapid spread of flames in the event of a fire. It is known to be a great noise barrier too.

Hire A Professional Insulation Contractor

Thanks to the Internet, there are tons of free resources, detailed guides, and even videos on how to install insulation for your property. Because these people creating these guides explain these things so easily, some would be led to believe that DIY is a great option for them. However, that is not the case most of the time. We've seen homes getting damaged, time and effort getting wasted, and extra costs adding up after a failed DIY insulation installation attempt.

Is batt insulation better than blown-in insulation? The best decision you could make at this point, even after reading and researching a whole lot about insulation, is to consult with insulation experts. With professional advice, you can be sure that you're making the most ideal decision in consideration of all the factors involved. An insulation expert will help you choose the perfect insulation for you based on your needs, building layout and budget.

All Florida Insulation is a top contractor offering installation and maintenance services of all insulation types. We have a team of experts who can help you out. We offer consultations and free estimates, too. Our services are available in Orlando, Maitland, Longwood, Winter Park, Deltona, and nearby communities. For more details, you can call us at 407-410-FOAM (3626).

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