Blown-In Insulation in Evansville, IN

Blown-in insulation in Evansville is often the best value in the house. Loose cellulose or fiberglass is blown through a hose onto the attic floor, where it settles into an even blanket around joists, wiring and the low corners near the eaves. On an open attic floor it reaches R-49 or R-60 at a fraction of the cost of foam. It works best over a sealed ceiling, because loose fill slows heat but does not stop air.

How deep to go

The Insulation Institute's summary of the 2020 Indiana Residential Code lists R-38 for ceilings in Climate Zone 4. ENERGY STAR recommends R-60 for an uninsulated Zone 4A attic, or adding R-49 where 3 to 4 inches are already down. We set depth markers across the attic before blowing, so you can see the depth reached.

Cellulose or fiberglass

Cellulose, mostly recycled paper treated for fire and pests, is dense and slows air movement better than fiberglass; Fixr lists it at $1.75 to $3.80 per square foot. Blown fiberglass is lighter, does not absorb water and settles less; Fixr lists it at $1.65 to $2.60. In cold climates cellulose is popular for attics; either can reach the target.

Dense-pack walls in older homes

With about a third of Evansville's housing built before 1950 in Point2Homes' census summary, many homes have walls with little or no insulation. Dense-packed cellulose blown into each stud bay through small holes, then patched, adds R-value and slows air movement without tearing out plaster. HomeGuide lists dense-pack cellulose at $1.60 to $4.20 per square foot and blown-in exterior walls at $1,900 to $7,800. We check for knob-and-tube wiring first, since it should not be buried.

Sealing first

Before any loose fill goes in, we seal attic bypasses: top plates, plumbing and wiring holes, chases, the hatch, light fixtures and soffits. In balloon-framed homes we block the open wall cavities at the attic floor. That sealing is where much of the comfort comes from.

Ventilation and clearance

Baffles at the eaves keep soffit vents open. Insulation stays clear of chimneys, flues and fixtures that need clearance.

Over old insulation

Dry, clean old insulation can stay, with new fill on top. Wet, soiled or debris-filled insulation comes out first.

Cellulose in a cold attic

In Evansville attics that see real winter cold, dense, well-installed cellulose resists air movement a little better than light loose fiberglass, which lets more air wash through it. Either material does well over a properly sealed ceiling, which is why sealing always comes first.

Tell us how old the house is and what is in the attic, and we will measure and send a written quote. Get a free estimate