Blown-In Insulation in Sulphur Springs, TX

Blown-in insulation is loose cellulose or fiberglass fed through a hose and blown across the attic floor or into closed wall cavities. It fills around wiring, framing and odd corners better than batts, and it is the least expensive way to get an attic up to a high R-value. In a lot of Sulphur Springs houses with the ducts inside, or with only a few runs across the attic, a sealed ceiling with deep blown-in does about as much for comfort as foam on the roof deck for much less money.

Cellulose or fiberglass

Cellulose is mostly recycled paper treated for fire and pests. It is dense, packs well around obstructions and slows air movement a bit better than loose fiberglass. Fiberglass is lighter, does not absorb water, and does not settle as much over time. Both work. Fixr lists blown fiberglass at $1.65 to $2.60 per square foot and cellulose at $1.75 to $3.80. We recommend one based on the attic and your preference, and the quote names the product and depth.

Seal first, then blow

Blown-in slows heat but not air. Lay it over open gaps at the tops of walls, plumbing stacks and light fixtures, and air keeps leaking through it. Every blown-in attic we do starts with sealing those leaks, plus the hatch and duct boots. Then we fit baffles at the eaves so the soffit vents stay open, blow to the target depth, and set depth rulers so you can see it later. ENERGY STAR's target for an uninsulated Zone 3 attic is R-49, and R-38 when topping up three to four inches.

Blown-in walls

Older houses with empty wall cavities can be dense-packed with cellulose through small holes drilled from outside or inside, then patched. HomeGuide puts dense-pack cellulose at $1.60 to $4.20 per square foot. It is a good option when you do not want to open the walls. We check for fire blocking, old wiring and siding type first, because those decide whether it is practical and how the patches will look.

When blown-in is not the answer

If the air handler and long duct runs are in the attic, blown-in on the floor leaves them in the heat. A cathedral ceiling with no attic leaves nowhere to blow. A low-slope roof with no room to move may need foam instead. We will tell you which applies to your house.

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