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blown-in insulation

Blown-in Insulation is a type of insulation that is made mostly out of recycled amterials that are relatively inexpensive. Blown-in insulation usually comes in the form of cellulose. Cellulose is considered to be a plant fiber that is readily availabe and easily recycled.  Cellulose is used in the walls and attics just like regular insulation, but the beauty about blown-in insulation is that it can fit in obscure and hard to reach places.

Now many people might ask, how does it stay in place? The answer is water-based adhesives. Basically you mix the loose fill material with your adhesive and then apply to the hard-to-reach areas. The makes for a perfect combination because the blown-in insulation will have a chance to conform to tight spaces and eventually dry in position.

blown_insulation

In order for blown-in insulation to be effective, you must follow a strict installation guideline. You must realize that cellulose takes time to settle and solidify into place, because of this you must drill a hole in the wall that you want to insulate. After doing so, you will be able to pump the loose-fill material into the wall cavity. Once completed, you will be able to seal off the hole and move onto the next. While the installation might not be as straightforward, there are many areas where blown-in insulation shines.

Blown-in Insulation is excellent when it comes to filling in gaps and creating an air tight insulated environment. Since the material is considered loose-fill, it can fill virtually any nook and crany, unlike batts which have to be cut into shape and can also leave a lot to be desired when it comes to precision. Cellulose is also extremely environmentally friendly / recyclable and safe to us.  About 80% of the loose-fill material is recyclable and it comes from a renewable resources - trees.

cell_diagram

Even though cellulose is less popular than batting, it's still considered to be one of the best types of insulation available. It helps to reduce energy costs and reduces our impact ont he environment, not to mention, it is free of any toxic chemicals and the adhesive is water based, meaning no formaldehyde.