There are numerous options for insulation, with differences between both material type and application style. Some insulations work well for new construction, while others have benefits for retrofits or repairs. Loose-fill insulation is remarkably versatile, and adding this type of insulation to your existing attic can have many benefits.

Note that loose-fill, like rolled insulation, is available in both fiberglass and cellulose forms. Fiberglass tends to be cheaper, while cellulose can provide a better R-value per inch installed. You'll need to choose the best option for your budget, but either one will offer these three essential benefits when installed in your attic.

1. More Consistent Insulation

The existing batts in your attic may provide adequate insulation, but it's challenging to install them in a way that covers every narrow corner or tight space. Loose-fill insulation excels in these scenarios, allowing you to fill small areas along your roof that may be difficult or impossible to reach by simply laying traditional insulation.

Additionally, loose-fill tends to spread out across an area, ensuring an even application. When it is installed correctly by professionals, this provides much better coverage for the barrier between your attic and the conditioned parts of your home.

2. Increased R-Values

Loose-fill can also improve the R-value of your existing insulation and is often the best choice when you're adding additional layers to an attic that already contains insulating batts. A professional installer can blow the loose-fill into place to a specific depth, ensuring that you don't overfill the parts of your attic where insulation batts are already installed.

By adding more insulation, you'll improve the overall R-value of your attic insulation and help reduce your utility costs. Loose-fill can also be a relatively easy and cost-effective way to bring your home up to code if your existing attic insulation is too thin.

3. Improved Moisture Protection

For attic installations, blown-in loose-fill is often a superior retrofit choice compared to spray foam insulation. Spray foam's vapor barrier properties keep moisture out, but they can trap humidity and create additional problems. Since your attic plays a critical role in removing humidity from your home, it's essential to avoid creating a situation that can keep moisture trapped.

Loose-fill insulation does not have this issue, and cellulose insulation often includes additives that prevent mold from taking hold. As a result, it's an excellent choice for attic insulation retrofits since it can provide strong insulating properties without also trapping excessive moisture in the occupied portions of your home.

Contact a company that offers loose-fill insulation installation services to learn more.