Blown-In vs Batt Insulation

Insulation plays a large role in energy efficiency and comfort for both homes and businesses. Insulation keeps warm air indoors during the winter and cold air indoors during the summer. This has a profound effect on temperature control for your property as well as your energy costs year-round. Two common ways of insulating a building are blown-in insulation and batt insulation. Blown-in insulation boasts a variety of benefits over traditional batt insulation, including better air sealing and long-term savings. But it is not as common and is not often a DIY project. Here are some considerations on how the two insulation methods differ. 

What Are The Differences Between Blown-In and Batt Insulation

Batt insulation is often what homeowners are more commonly aware of. A batt insulation method involves taking insulation in a roll and cutting it up into panels that can be easily installed around a property. The process is relatively simple and is often done DIY by homeowners. By contrast, blown-in insulation requires specialized equipment to spray insulation material in a home or business to help improve the insulation of the property. Because the insulation is sprayed in, it can be much more form-fitted. For buildings with unique geometry or attics with irregular shapes, this can help improve coverage quite significantly. 

Benefits of Blown-In Insulation Compared to Batt Insulation

Blown-in insulation provides better coverage. The material fills in all of the nooks and crannies of the building, creating a better thermal barrier than bat insulation. Likewise, there is stronger air sealing with blown-in insulation because there are no cracks between pieces of insulation, like there are for batt. In studies on blown-in insulation, it has been found that it has a higher R-value. R-value is a measurement of a material's resistance to heat flow or temperature change. Blown-in insulation has a better R-value, meaning it maintains temperature. Blown-in insulation is often designed to prevent pests from entering a home, and the materials can be treated so they both prevent pests and provide fire resistance. 

Benefits of Batt Insulation Compared to Blown-in Insulation

While batt insulation is less effective than blown-in insulation, it typically has a lower upfront cost. This is especially true if you plan to DIY your renovation. Blown-in insulation often requires contractors who have specialized equipment. Batt insulation can be done by the property owner, which can save some money. Batt insulation is best suited for simple spaces where the property has uniform geometry. That said, over time, you may end up paying the difference in what you saved in energy costs, especially if you live in an area where you are frequently using your HVAC system throughout the year. 

Schedule Heat Loss Assessments in the Northeast

Heat Loss Management works throughout Massachusetts, Maine, and New Hampshire to provide energy-saving services, including blown-in insulation, air barrier sealing, blower door testing, and more. If you are interested in learning more or getting specific recommendations for your building, please contact our team.