BlowN-In Insulation

Blown-in loose fill insulation is the most common insulation for the flat floor areas of the attic and can be either fiberglass or cellulose.  Batt Insulation (link to that page) is typically used on vertical walls or sloped ceilings in the attic. The process is the same for new construction or existing homes.

Prior to installing the insulation in the attic, insulation baffles are installed as needed. This ensures the blown-in insulation does not block air flow so the Attic Ventilation System can work properly. Our technicians use a commercial grade insulation blower to quickly and efficiently blow in loose fill insulation into the attic. Rulers are installed in the attic to verify the insulation is installed to the proper depth especially in hard to reach areas that can be easy to overlook.

For south Texas, the International Energy Code recommends R49 as shown in the charts below, however New Braunfels only requires R38 which is about 11 or 12 inches of insulation depending on which material is used.  We recommend at least R38 for new construction or existing homes.  For existing homes whose current insulation is too thin but in good shape, we can easily blow in more insulation to get to the recommended values.

Before

After

Customers can choose between cellulose and fiberglass for their attic insulation. See FAQ page for why May Energy Solutions prefers loose fill cellulose insulation.

Blown-In Fiberglass

May Energy Solutions can install insulation in walls of older homes with no existing insulation, provided the wall construction is compatible with sheet rock on the inside and plywood or other sheathing on the outside. Loose fill cellulose is blown in through holes drilled in the walls (a method called “dense packing”). Tightly packed cellulose fills the wall cavity and gaps around wires, pipes and electrical boxes. The dense packing prevents settling, provides resistance to air leakage, and great insulation performance.

For houses with siding, a strip or two of siding is removed and a 2 inch diameter hole is drilled into the exterior plywood sheathing in each stud cavity. After the insulation is blown in, the holes are filled with plugs and the siding is reinstalled.

For houses with a brick exterior, access to the wall cavity can be achieved in two different ways. The holes can be drilled in the interior drywall, which are then patched and textured to match the interior finish after the insulation is installed. This method makes for quicker insulation installation, but more finish work is required after and there are challenges to matching texture and paint. Holes can be drilled in the mortar between the brick to blow in the insulation, however these holes are small so the installation takes a bit longer. Afterwards the holes are sealed up with mortar.

*Note: In the table at right , CI stands for “continuous insulation” that is applied to the exterior of the wall assembly just inside the cladding. Map and chart: www.energy.gov/energysaver/insulation