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.
Adding bats of insulation to attic.
Make sure you use an unfaced batt one without a paper or foil layer so the insulation does not trap moisture in the ceiling.
This will lead to non uniform r values.
Insulation should be rolled out perpendicular to the joists and unfaced rolls should be used.
Blanket insulation is available as batts or rolls and is the easiest diy insulation material.
How do i add insulation to existing attic insulation.
You can do it yourself for about 500.
Batt or rolled insulation or blown loose fill insulation fiberglass or cellulose can be installed on top of old insulation.
Measure how much insulation you already have.
Install fiberglass batts over existing batt insulation.
Check the depth using a tape measure.
The r factor of blown in fiberglass is usually 2 3 to 2 8 per inch of material.
Once installed and expanded to the uniform manufactured thickness batts offer a known r factor.
One for attic prep and the second to actually blow the insulation.
Both can be added to uninsulated attics or layered over existing material.
Because blown in insulation which is fiberglass generally can go on top of the existing insulation.
For the best performance an insulation material needs to fill the whole space with no gaps voids compression or incompletely filled areas.
To make insulating an attic easier grab a helper and set aside two days.
Put on goggles and gloves to protect yourself while handling.
How to install attic insulation over existing insulation wear a long sleeve shirt gloves eye protection and a dust mask.
Loose fill or batt the common term for blanket insulation.
This type of insulation.
Any existing batt or roll insulation in the attic should have the facing against the attic drywall floor or no facing at all.
How much does attic insulation cost.
Blown in insulation thickness can vary in an attic space.
The pros charge 1 500 to 2 000 to do a 1 200 sq ft.
Lay the batts perpendicular to the joists so.
It s available in fiberglass mineral wool plastic fibers and natural fibers.
Cotton batts though are cool because they re made of recycled blue jeans.
For diy attic insulation you ve got two choices.
Once you ve decided which type is best for you examine the material options and prices to home in on the right product.