Few people are aware that there are even different ways to insulate their home, let alone the fact that there are some glaring differences among the different methods. Which is better suited for your particular situation? Rolled insulation, or batting as it is sometimes referred, looks like a better option to some people and it's the most often the most recognizable option to most home owners. It seems like the youngest, cleanest and easiest to install option, but it has its advantages and disadvantages just like the blown in insulation that a contractor would come and install in your house with machines.
The Advantages of Rolled Insulation
Convenience
It's true that you can quickly and easily procure rolls of insulation at your local home improvement center and begin performing the work on your own – the same day if you so choose.
Self Satisfaction
For many home owners, there are few things that are satisfying and rewarding as setting out a plan for a home improvement project, getting all of the necessary supplies and completing the project on their own, with no outside help what so ever.
The Advantages of Blown In Insulation
Performance
Despite the fact that rolled insulation is specifically manufactured to fit right in between standard sized studies or joists – it simply can not match the "fill" of professionally installed blown in insulation. Blown in insulation provides optimal performance because it fits securely into every nook and cranny, it will fill every crack and crevice and surround every piece of conduit and every obstacle, providing a much more effective barrier than rolled insulation.
Speed of Installation
A team of qualified professionals will come out to your home with all of the necessary equipment to properly take care of, in a matter of a few hours, what it could very well have taken you a few days to do with rolled insulation. In addition to the speed, they'll be able to get into areas with blown in insulation that you would have never dreamed of getting into with your rolls of insulation.
Price
Considering the cost of the materials, the higher level of protection from the elements that blown in insulation has over rolled insulation, and the amount of time and work that you will not have to invest, it could be very well worth a little bit higher of an initial investment to have the blown in insulation installed by professionals. You may come to find that the money you are saving on your energy bills will help pay for that extra cost in no time.
If your home was built prior to 1970, chances are you may have no insulation at all in your walls and you probably have insufficient amounts of insulation in your attic and your crawl space. The insulation in your attic or crawl space may be deteriorating or water damaged and simply may be incapable of providing the protection that your home needs from the elements.
Depending upon your location or situation, rolled insulation may very well be more than sufficient to suit your particular needs, but in areas with rough, harsh climate changes you may need to have blown in insulation installed for your home to be as efficient on energy as possible.
Having the right type and quantity of insulation in your home makes sense; it will make your home more comfortable and save you money. Each different type of insulation has advantages and disadvantages, so if you are not too sure about what your home may need to be properly insulated then consult a qualified professional with an insulation blowing machines to help you make the right decision so you can begin to get the most out of both your cooling and heating systems.