It may be time to update your home’s energy efficiency. Rather than simply replacing the old insulation with a similar product, you should evaluate the unique needs of your home. The following guide will help you compare attic insulation: roll vs. blown.

How to Tell if Your Attic Has Enough Insulation

Most U.S. homes have insufficient insulation. This is partly because homeowners assume there’s a one-size-fits-all approach to attic insulation. On the contrary, Seattle homes need a higher R-value — or greater insulation thickness — than southern homes.

In the southern states, attics need only 13 to 14 inches of insulation, which equals an R-value of 38. In northern regions, including the Seattle area, attics should have an R-49 insulation rating. This requires an insulation thickness of 16 to 18 inches.

Pitched Roof Attics

It’s common to finish a pitched-roof attic to create additional living space. When starting this type of project, consider adding attic insulation installation services to your plans. Begin with a roof lining to guard against moisture and leaks before insulating the pitched walls.

Attic Doors

Some Seattle attics have access doors that lead from the attic to the roof. Regularly inspect the weatherstripping around this door to keep moisture from leaking into your attic. In addition, protect your roofing materials and improve energy efficiency by adding insulation to this door.

Exterior Walls

An exterior wall is any wall that stands between your living space and the outdoor environment. Each exterior wall needs insulation to prevent the transfer of heat between your home and the outdoors.

Attic Insulation Roll vs. Blown: Which Should You Choose?

As you research the best insulation to use in your home, it helps to know something about the two most popular options. When looking at attic insulation roll vs. blown, consider ease of installation, R-value, and durability as the primary features.

Batt Insulation Basics

You’ll find batt insulation in many homes. It has been a popular choice for decades and still functions well. It comes in pre-cut batts or panels, but you may still have to trim the panels to fit the dimensions of the space you’re insulating. The panels are usually 16 to 24 inches in width to ensure they fit within a standard home’s framing.

Faced insulation, or batts with a paper/foil side, can be easier to install. However, Seattle building codes prohibit the use of faced insulation in exposed areas, such as attic walls, since the paper or foil is flammable. Faced and unfaced batt insulation comes in a variety of R-values to make it acceptable for use in diverse climates.

Batt Insulation Benefits

There are many features of batt insulation that make it a good option for Seattle homes. Here are a few of the most popular benefits that attract homeowners to this type of attic insulation.

Easy Customization

You can trim batt insulation to match the dimensions of any attic or crawl space. This is especially helpful when you have to insulate around plumbing or electrical work without covering these components.

Simple Insulation Repairs

If the insulation becomes damaged, wet, or moldy, you can replace the affected section without undertaking a full insulation installation. You’ll save money on future insulation maintenance since you can replace a single section at a time.

Durability

A problem with blown-in insulation is that it will settle over time. Additionally, it will become compact as it absorbs moisture from your humid attic air. Batt insulation is more resistant to moisture and won’t settle. Its moisture resistance adds to its longevity.

Blown-In Insulation: What to Know

You may have seen blown-in insulation in an unfinished attic floor. It consists of millions of fragments of insulation blown into a wall cavity or attic floor. It’s also called loose-fill insulation since it leaves beneficial air pockets between the bits of insulation.

When it comes to blown-in insulation, you can choose between cellulose (wood and paper), fiberglass, or mineral wool.

The Advantages of Blown-In Insulation

Although less popular than batt insulation, blown-in insulation offers a variety of advantages. Consider how much these features appeal to you when choosing between batt and blown-in insulation.

Choose Your R-Value

Batt insulation comes with a predetermined R-value, so you must know how much protection you want in advance. There isn’t a specific R-value for blown-in insulation. You can customize the R-value by adding more insulation fragments to your space.

Insulate Tight Spaces

You can find it difficult to properly insulate tight or hidden spaces throughout your home. Rather than trying to stuff batt insulation into a confined space, you can simply fill the area with blown-in insulation.

Maintain an Environmentally Friendly Home

While batt insulation uses plastic and other synthetic materials, blown-in insulation offers eco-friendly alternatives. Sheep wool, cotton, and cellulose are a few options that will help you insulate your home without adversely affecting the environment.

Enjoy Easy Installation

While it’s not difficult to install batt insulation, it is a labor-intensive process. Since you’ll work closely with the material, you’ll also have to consider the health effects of your insulation. Conversely, an installer uses a machine to blow loose-fill insulation into the target area. This is a safer and faster process.

Attic Insulation Roll vs. Blown: Know Your Insulation Materials

In addition to comparing attic insulation roll vs. blown, it’s equally important to choose the material that offers the best protection. Since each type of insulation material offers a different R-value, the material you choose will affect the thickness you’ll have to install.

  • Batt Fiberglass: 3.4 R-value per inch
  • Blown-In Fiberglass: 4.3 R-value per inch
  • Cellulose: 3.9 R-value per inch
  • Mineral Wool/Rockwool: 3.4 R-value per inch
  • Open Cell Spray Foam: 3.6 R-value per inch
  • Closed Cell Spray Foam: 6.5 R-value per inch

It’s helpful to consult professional installers when choosing your insulation. An excessive R-value can be just as destructive to your home as too little insulation. Professionals can help you determine the best R-value for optimal energy efficiency in your home.

Get Expert Advice Before Installing New Attic Insulation

Attic Projects provides insulation installation services to help you get better energy efficiency in your Seattle home. If your energy bills gradually increase from month to month or you can’t maintain a consistent indoor temperature, our insulation services may resolve your problem.

Request a free inspection to gain a better understanding of your attic’s insulation quality.