Which Type of Fiberglass is Best For Your Project?
When it’s time to upgrade your home insulation, it’s important to understand your options and make sure you’re taking the best steps for years of comfort and energy efficiency.
Of course, there’s rarely a one-size-fits-all answer for home upgrades, so here’s a closer look at the types of fiberglass insulation and what makes them better for your home’s particular needs.
Benefits of Fiberglass Insulation
Fiberglass insulation remains the go-to option for home insulation, new and old, for many reasons. Fiberglass insulation is:
- Inexpensive compared to other materials
- Efficient in R-value density and cost for satisfactory insulation
- Easy to install and familiar for contractors
- Versatile and applicable in nearly any insulation situation
- Environmentally friendly and safe
Learn more about the benefits of fiberglass.
Blown-In vs. Batt Fiberglass — What’s the Difference?
When discussing fiberglass insulation, you’re almost always discussing one of two types: blown-in (loose-fill) fiberglass insulation and fiberglass batts/blankets. The former refers to the loose piles of insulation you’ve undoubtedly seen in an attic before, while the latter refers to solid chunks or blankets of fiberglass.
Blown-in fiberglass is installed by using a blowing machine to shoot the loose insulation into the space you are insulating, most commonly an attic or interior wall. Loose-fill is among the easiest types of insulation to install but harder to replace if it is compromised by moisture, mold, or pests. Blown-in insulation naturally fills into hard-to-reach spaces, fitting around joists, studs, or wiring. This ensures there are no gaps in the layer of insulation, making blown-in one of the most effective types of insulation.
In contrast, batts can be installed anywhere you can fit a chunk but requires a bit of work to handle unusual nooks and crannies. Fiberglass batts is installed by cutting pieces from a larger roll, and installing between joists and wall studs on the attic floor like fitting a puzzle piece into a puzzle. While this type of insulation is more accessible than blown-in and can technically be installed by the everyday homeowner, it takes precision and experience to properly cut and install pieces that correctly fill the space and provide the greatest R-value for your home. If you’re looking to replace multiple batt roles in your attic or basement, you should still consider bringing in professionals to ensure the job is done correctly.
Is Blown-In Fiberglass Better for Your Home?
It depends on your home, where you need to insulate and a host of other minor factors. But for most homes, blown-in insulation is their best investment. Why?
Because in most homes, the attic is the most important space to insulate. It’s the area most likely to have inadequate insulation, and blown-in insulation is the best insulation for an attic.
Other common trouble areas, such as underinsulated walls and crawl spaces, are also often easier to adjust in an existing home with blown-in fiberglass. To install fiberglass batts in a poorly insulated wall means removing all the drywall for access to the space between joists, for example.
Of course, there are plenty of cases where batt insulation is the clear winner in terms of efficacy, efficiency and cost of installation — but blown-in has more applications in most re-insulation projects.
Talk to an Experienced Insulation Contractor in Sacramento, CA
Ultimately, it’s best to work with an experienced insulation contractor familiar with a variety of materials and circumstances. If you’re in the Sacramento area, Gold Star Insulation is happy to help you find the best materials for your home and apply them to perfection for long-lasting efficiency, comfort and value.
We’re part of the Installed Building Products Family of Companies, meaning our team has access to and familiarity with a wide assortment of products used by one of the nation’s premier residential insulation companies.
Want to learn more about your options for fiberglass insulation installation in Sacramento? Call (916) 441-6200 or contact our team online today.
