Attic Insulation Cellulose Batts

Batt insulation is available at home centers and lumberyards.

Attic insulation cellulose batts.

Loose fill or batt the common term for blanket insulation. Once you ve decided which type is best for you examine the material options and prices to home in on the right product. Any existing batt or roll insulation in the attic should have the facing against the attic drywall floor or no facing at all. Insulation should be rolled out perpendicular to the joists and unfaced rolls should be used.

For diy attic insulation you ve got two choices. Batt or rolled insulation or blown loose fill insulation fiberglass or cellulose can be installed on top of old insulation. It s made from fine glass fibers and is most often used in batts rolls and loose fill insulation. Most attics are insulated with blown in loose cellulose r 3 5 per inch blown in loose fiberglass r 2 5 per inch or fiberglass batts r 3 2 per inch.

Attic insulation is accomplished with either fiberglass blankets batt or blown in insulation. Blown in cellulose is an environmentally friendly material made from recycled newspaper so it s easier on your skin and lungs. Very common very problematic. If you choose to install cellulose yourself you can buy the insulation in bags from your local home.

Blown in insulation requires a professional. I don t know about that but it s a common insulation material that works much better in the blown form than in batts. Blown in cellulose has a higher r rating and is less expensive than either blown insulation like fiberglass attic insulation or fiberglass batts. You ve probably got batts in your attic walls and crawlspace right now.

Fiberglass is by far the most common type of insulation sold in batt form although cellulose batts do exist. Batt insulation take time to read this column. It comes in rolls and has paper backing on one side. Cellulose recycled ground up paper with boric acid added for insect control and fire resistance offers a better attic insulation option than batts.

Both can be added to uninsulated attics or layered over existing material. I won t even discuss r value because fiberglass batts don t belong in an attic. Fiberglass is a skin and lung irritant so always wear protective eyewear gloves masks and clothing when working with fiberglass insulation. The photo above shows an attic insulated with blown cellulose.

Pros and cons of cellulose attic insulation. Before choosing blown vs. In a cooling climate a good blanket of attic insulation helps keep the house cooler and reduces the load on air conditioning equipment.