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Loose-fill, measured to depth
Blown-In Insulation in Springfield, Missouri
Blown-in loose fill is still the most economical way to get an attic floor back to a real rated depth, and it reaches around framing that batts have to be cut around.
Cellulose or Fiberglass
Cellulose is recycled paper fibre treated for fire and pest resistance. It is denser, it packs tightly around obstructions, and it is generally the better performer where you want the material to resist air movement through it. Loose-fill fiberglass is lighter, does not add much load to a ceiling, and will not absorb water the way cellulose will if the roof leaks.
Both are legitimate. The decision usually comes down to ceiling load, whether there is any history of water in the attic, and the depth available. We will name which one is in the quote and why it is the one we chose for your attic.
Depth Is the Whole Specification
Loose-fill insulation only delivers its rated R-value at its rated installed depth, and that depth is what people most often do not get. Material settles. Material gets displaced by anyone working in the attic. A bag count is not a depth. So we install to a stated depth, use depth markers so the figure is verifiable after we leave, and check coverage across the whole attic rather than at the hatch where it is easy to look good.
Drill-and-Fill for Closed Walls
Where an existing wall is closed up and finished, dense-pack blown-in can be installed through small access holes rather than opening the wall. The cavity is filled to a density that resists settling, and the holes are patched. It is the least invasive way to insulate a finished wall, and for a retrofit it is often the only practical option short of taking the drywall off. For foam injected into closed walls, see injection foam.
Ask what depth your attic is at now: call (417) 815-4045 or request a free estimate.
Topping Up Versus Starting Over
Not every shallow attic needs stripping out. Where the existing loose fill is dry, uncontaminated and simply short of depth, blowing over the top of it is the sensible, economical answer and we will recommend exactly that.
It comes out when it is wet, when there is rodent contamination, when there is evidence of a past roof leak, or when the air sealing underneath has never been done and burying it would waste the work. That last one matters: adding material over an unsealed attic floor hides the air leakage instead of fixing it, and you pay for insulation that underperforms from day one.
Blown-in questions
Common questions about loose fill
Is blown-in cheaper than spray foam?
Per square foot of attic floor, considerably. That is the main reason it remains the right answer for a straightforward attic top-up. It does a different job from foam though — it insulates but does not air seal, so the sealing work is a separate line on the estimate.
Does blown-in insulation settle?
Loose fill does settle somewhat over its life, and the rated depth accounts for that. Dense-packed material in a closed wall is installed at a density specifically chosen to resist settling. What we will not do is quote a bag count and call it a depth.
Is cellulose a fire risk?
Cellulose used in building insulation is treated with fire retardants and is tested to the relevant standards. It is not the untreated paper people sometimes picture. We keep it clear of heat sources, flues and recessed fittings that require clearance regardless of material.
Can you blow insulation into my existing walls without removing the drywall?
Yes, through small access holes, dense-packed and then patched. It is the standard retrofit method for a finished wall. We will set out where the holes go and what the patching looks like before starting.
How do I know I got the depth I paid for?
Depth markers in the attic and photographs. The installed depth is written on the estimate, so it is a checkable number rather than a claim, and you can verify it yourself after we leave.
Find out what depth your attic is actually at
We will measure what is in place and quote the material, the depth and the sealing work as separate, visible lines.
Free written estimates • Installed depth stated • Depth markers left in place
Related work
