Why Choose Blow-in Insulation?

• Blow-in insulation, also called loose fill or blowing wool insulation, is created by blowing loose particles into a cavity. There are advantages to blow-in insulation: it's useful in hard-to-reach places like chimneys and vents, and it's made from environmentally friendly recycled materials.
  
  

What Tools Will I Need?

• Your primary investment in insulating your attic will be time. Allow yourself about five hours per 100 square feet of attic space. Protect yourself from loose fibers as you work; wear long sleeves, gloves, a dust mask and eye protection.
  
  Blow-in insulation is highly compressed, and you'll need a blowing machine to install it. A blowing machine, which you can rent at most home improvement stores, opens the material, fluffs it and blows it out through a hose at the rate you set.
  
  

How Much Blow-in Insulation Will I Need?

• How much insulation you'll need to purchase is determined by R-value: insulation's resistance to heat flow. R-value is quantified based on the type of materials used and rate of blowing. When you purchase your insulation, the R-value of those materials will be specified on the packaging. This will help you figure out the rate you should set the blowing machine to achieve a certain thickness of insulation.
  
  How thick that insulation should be is determined by where you live and how much, if any, insulation is already installed. A good rule of thumb for colder climates is ten total inches of insulation. But for a more accurate measure, the Department of Energy has a helpful website that uses ZIP codes to recommend the amount of insulation for your home; see Resources below.
  
  If you're still not sure, most home improvement stores have computer programs to help you determine the recommended standards for insulation and how much you'll need to purchase.