There are 2 major types of blown in insulation, fiberglass and cellulose. Fiberglass is a woven together glass fibers and in a loose fill, blown in application, averages an R3 per inch. This is our most common product of ceiling insulation in homes. We typically always recommend and R60 in new construction which is 20 inches of blown in fiberglass. The second major kind of blown in insulation is cellulose. Cellulose is a recycled material made up of primarily ground up newspaper and other paper products. It is then treated with fire retardants such as ammonium sulfate, borax, and boric acid to make it safe to use in homes. Cellulose is a slightly denser product averaging R3.3 per inch. An R60 ceiling is achieved at 18 inches.

Batts are a common insulation for wall cavities and sometimes vaulted ceiling. Batts range from an R11 all the way to an R49. In climate zone 6 and 7, R19 and R21 batts are the most commonly used to meet code requirements in a 2x6 wall. There are 2 main type of batts, fiberglass and rockwool. Fiberglass is your most common and cheapest option. It is widely used for both exterior walls for insulation as well as interior walls for sound deadening. Rockwool is a product made from lava rock and slag woven together. It has many advantages of fiberglass but does come with a much higher cost. Rockwool, unlike fiberglass is much less susceptible to moisture and mold damage. It does have a higher R value per inch than fiberglass as well. It also is a better sound deadening material than fiberglass. Rockwool should always be used in area like fireplaces where it can be installed directly to exhaust piping safely and protect the surrounding area from any fire hazards. Call TCS today about your project and we can help you determine if fiberglass or rockwool batts are your best choice for your project.

BIBS, blown in blanket system, or also know as dense packs, is a blown in fiberglass or cellulose system for walls and floors. This process starts with stapling an insulation fabric or netting to the walls stud faces or floor trusses. Then fiberglass or cellulose material is blown into the cavities and completely filling them. This process creates a higher R value and better air seal than standard batt insulation. It also produces a better sound deadening affect than a standard fiberglass batt. Again though, it does come with a higher cost than standard batts.