Blown Attic Insulation Vs Batts

Batt insulation is easy to install and requires zero specialized tools to get the job done.

Blown attic insulation vs batts.

The first difference in blown in vs. We use both blown in and batt insulation depending on the situation at hand. That s because blown insulation is great at filling the gaps and giving you a good complete layer of insulation. It is sold in bags and made of materials that are of varying degrees of recycled.

Current energy standards recommend the installation of a first layer of craft faced moisture barrier fiberglass batt. I don t know about that but it s a common insulation material that works much better in the blown form than in batts. Once you ve decided which type is best for you examine the material options and prices to home in on the right product. We offer our review of the three most popular types of attic insulation with a look at each one s pros and cons.

Compared to blown in insulation batts can reach a resistance rating r factor of over 3 1. The thermal performance of fiberglass insulation is directly related to its ability to trap and maintain very small pockets of air. Batt insulation is that it is a form of loose fill insulation as opposed to a flexible blanket. To get the full r value of insulation it must be in contact with the conditioned space.

The photo above shows an attic insulated with blown cellulose. For diy attic insulation you ve got two choices. Sloppy people aren t suited for this job. When insulating an attic space many homeowners ask us which is better blown in or batt insulation.

Advantages of batt insulation. Blown in fiberglass creates a seamless blanket in your attic. It is also preferable to use blown in insulation instead of batts rolls because the very act of blowing in the fiberglass or cellulose pieces causes them to create a seamless blanket much like a blanket of snow. Batts must be cut tightly and you can t have gaps.

Both can be added to uninsulated attics or layered over existing material. It also offers a little better thermal resistance than its counterpart. Different types of batt vs blown in insulation batt insulation often comes rolled up in layers that you cut to size and install with staple guns. Batt insulation often punishes installers with fiberglass fibers that cause itching and scratching.

Blown in varieties however typically reach a peak of around a 2 8 r factor. That is because it usually is made out of fiberglass in varying thicknesses. Blown in fiberglass insulation will perform better against fiberglass rolled batts. Notice how you don t see any of the ceiling framing down at the ceiling level.

Loose fill or batt the common term for blanket insulation. The answer is it depends. You also don t see any gaps that allow you to see all the way down to the ceiling drywall.