Insulation - I need some... Help

[dpatterson1976]

Do I want to buy the bags myself and blow it in or do I hire it out? What is my cost difference going to be?

Looking at about 2000sqft. Blowing over the top of what is already there.


Im in the Longview/Tyler area so if you know of a reputable company that would do a good job.


Daniel

[Tmag]

I just helped my son do this Friday night. He bought the bags from Lowe's and they furnished the machine for free for 24 hours with the purchase of 10 bag minimum. We blew 75 bags into his new attic in less than 4 hours, really easy operation. His cost was less than $700.
The guy at Lowe's will help you figure what you need to cover existing insulation. Don't start until dark or early in the morning to keep the heat from getting to you.

[pappabear]

As stated above, there's nothing to it. Me and my daughter did my house, I ran the hose up in the attic, she fed the hopper.

[TxAg]

Another option is buying the fiberglass rolls and just cutting it to desired length so that it lays across the beams. Just apply it right over the top of what is already there.

I did mine this way in February. 1700 sf costs me under $500. Doing the labor yourself is kind of a pain though. Just buy a good utility knife and wear a dust mask and long sleeves/jeans.

Read some reviews on the blown insulation. It is quick and easy, but is also dusty and can break down over time losing its "fluff" thereby losing insulation qualities. I still think it's a pretty good option though.

[Bill M]

I would recommend getting it quoted if there is a local business that does it. Insulation is one job I'll never do again. The cost savings is not worth it IMO.

[Leon County Slayer]

I did the blow in stuff with a friend and only needed 10 bags to cover the entire attic in 12 - 17 inches and it was very easy as others said. Buy a few extra bags and take them back if you don't need them - about $35/bag if I recall so I was only in for $350 - after doing that, I'd never pay someone else again. The machine and 12 bags filled up the back of my truck bed for your planning purposes. Just wore a mask and no long sleeves and didn't get itchy either - not saying I recommend that but wasn't a problem for me though. Got mine from Home Depot and probably same as Lowes - free machine, 24hrs.

[Adgerc15]

get some expanding foam blown in...then you can trash the old stuff and never have to worry about it again!

ac

[dpatterson1976]

The house is for sale so I dont want to break the bank doing this but it does need to be done.


Thanks for the suggestions.


Dp

[TxAg]

I did the blow in stuff with a friend and only needed 10 bags to cover the entire attic in 12 - 17 inches and it was very easy as others said. Buy a few extra bags and take them back if you don't need them - about $35/bag if I recall so I was only in for $350 - after doing that, I'd never pay someone else again. The machine and 12 bags filled up the back of my truck bed for your planning purposes. Just wore a mask and no long sleeves and didn't get itchy either - not saying I recommend that but wasn't a problem for me though. Got mine from Home Depot and probably same as Lowes - free machine, 24hrs.

That's a pretty good deal.


On the itching...the blown stuff is usually recycled newspaper. The batts rolled up are fiberglass.

[Buckshot4900]

They now handle the white cellulose type so it's not as nasty to do yourself.
BUT.... It's hottern Haiti in an attic right now.

[DNTRanch]

Has anyone ever gotten the attic done with that blown on foam stuff that sticks to the ceiling? Just curious about the cost and whether it works very well.

[Mudslinger]

I am with Bill on this one, not worth the mess and time for me to do it even for the savings. I have seen a bunch put in and I have never seen a guy come out of the attic that was not drenched in sweat, covered in insulation and then the insulation that blows all over the garage when you insulate around the opening. Plus what will be the cost to you if you step through the ceiling!

[JParker1515]

Recover price will be around .45 a sqft to have a company come do it. The bags from HD or Lowes it depends if you do fiberglass or cellulose on the cost and how many you need. Fiberglass covers about 60 sqft at 15.00 a bag. Cellulose covers about 35 sqft at 7.00 or 8.00 a bag. It is to easy to pay someone 900.00 to do it when you can do it for 1/2 the cost. My opinion only from being in the insulation business years ago.

[froghunter]

i priced mine and took bids. found that i only saved 25 cents a square foot by doing it myself. i let them boys have it for that price.

[Tmag]

Has anyone ever gotten the attic done with that blown on foam stuff that sticks to the ceiling? Just curious about the cost and whether it works very well.

My neighbor did his from top to bottom with it and he says it is great. Haven't discussed electric bills with him but would like to know if it reduced his energy costs. Mine has extra insulation and I am very happy with my electric bill.