Blown-In Insulation Tips

Blown-in insulation has been around since the 70s. It is economical, and it will allow you to insulate an area (usually the attic) that is cramped and hard to reach. Unlike fiberglass insulation, blown-in insulation is made from recycled materials such as newspaper and is not itchy and dusty. Installing blown-in insulation is not difficult, and, depending on the size of the area to be covered, it can be done in as little as one day.

Choose the Insulation

Measure the area to be insulated---length and width. Multiply the length and the width to get the square footage. You will need this number in order to purchase the right amount of insulation for the job---your local hardware store will help you select the right amount. Also, you will need an insulation blower in order to apply the insulation. The blower is like a giant vacuum cleaner that works in reverse. Instead of sucking up the insulation, it blows it out of a large, flexible pipe. You can rent this machine at your local home improvement or hardware store.

Protection

Wear protective clothing, goggles and a dust mask. A long-sleeve shirt will keep the insulation particles off your skin. Eye protection will keep the insulation from getting into your eyes---safety glasses won't do the job; you need goggles to seal your eyes from all sides from the insulation particles. The dust mask will prevent any dust particles from entering your lungs.

Load and Blow

Load the insulation blower with insulation. The insulation will come in bales that are about 2 by 3 feet, and they must be inserted into a receiving bin at the rear of the blower. The blower will distribute the insulation through a 3-inch wide flexible pipe that is about 300 feet long. You can take the pipe almost anywhere, while the blower remains stable. You will need a helper to keep loading more insulation while you pull the pipe and blow the insulation.