Blown-In Insulation in Grand Junction, CO

Blown-in insulation is loose cellulose or fiberglass blown through a hose onto the attic floor or packed into closed wall cavities. With Zone 5 calling for R-49 to R-60 in attics, blown-in is usually the most economical way to get there, because adding depth to an open attic floor costs far less per R-value than foam. In most Grand Junction houses, a sealed ceiling with deep blown-in on top is the backbone of a good insulation job.

Cellulose or fiberglass

Cellulose is recycled paper treated for fire and pests. It is dense, fills around wires and framing well and slows air a bit more than loose fiberglass. Fiberglass is lighter, does not absorb water and settles less. Fixr lists blown fiberglass at $1.65 to $2.60 per square foot and cellulose at $1.75 to $3.80. The quote names the product and the depth it needs to reach the target R-value.

Attics

We seal the ceiling first: top plates, chases, fixtures, the hatch and duct boots. Then we install baffles at the eaves to keep soffit vents clear, blow to depth and set rulers so you can check it. ENERGY STAR recommends R-60 for an uninsulated Zone 5 attic and adding R-49 over three to four inches. HomeGuide puts a blown-in attic at $900 to $3,600.

Walls in older homes

Many older Grand Junction houses, especially smaller homes near downtown and early ranch houses, have little or nothing in the exterior walls. Dense-pack cellulose can be blown in through small holes drilled from outside or inside, then patched. HomeGuide lists dense-pack at $1.60 to $4.20 per square foot. We check siding type, fire blocking and old wiring first, since those decide whether it is practical.

Where blown-in falls short

Blown-in does not stop air on its own, cannot go on walls of a crawl space or the underside of a floor, and does not fit cathedral ceilings. Those spots usually need foam. We tell you which applies.

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