Blowing Insulation

Bradracer18

Hey guys....well, we finally are about ready to insulate the ceiling in our shed. I've been doing some other things, so finally got to spend some time working on it. Anyways....I'll be blowing it in, and was hoping to get somewhere around 6 inches thick.

My question is this....First, what is the difference between fiberglass and cellulose insulation(blow in)? Fiberglass is a bit more expensive, but I am thinking that you usually get what you pay for(would like to know the reason though). Next, any tips to blowing insulation? I've never done it before, but will be doing it with a buddy who has. I'm planning on wearing a mask....and I'll have a "ratrun" on the rafters, to walk on.....then just kind planned on shooting it in.

Any advice is appreciated!!!

Oh, one more thing.....I'm not sure if they do this or not, but we've got a shed(steel too), that will condense, and drip inside. Any ideas, if this happens, what to do? Will the insulation be ok(was thinking fiberglass would be better in this case)??

Thanks,
Brad

thom

Did it once, won't do that again. On my own house I blew the ceilings, was considering switching the way I built. What a mistake.

The stuff settled by 80%
The stuff never stops drifting in through tiny cracks (fixtures, vents)
If you need to cut out drywall (I ran some speakers) you have a major mess.
Roof leak requiring a patch? Same mess
Spaces behind ducts, skylite shafts, etc get missed.

Just glad it was my own and not someone elses. Been dealing with it for 22 years.

joasis

We blow a lot of insulation, all the new spec homes get it, and some commercial work, we do the cellulose wall insulation also. I don't do fiberglass, since it is more expensive, and see no benifit. If you want to end up eventually with 6 inches, blow in 9...it will settle. The modern cellulose is a lot better then the stuff we had even 10 years ago...it is fire retardent, doesn't make you itch as bad, and mice do not like the chemicals it is treated with.

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Bradracer18

Thanks joasis.......thats what I was looking for. This is for commercial, blown on top of a steel ceiling. Is blowing it pretty self explainatory?

house bldr

We always cover the ceiling with plastic before rocking, it provides a vapor barrier and helps prevent some of the sifting through that was mentioned.When you blow it you may want to choke the air down if your machine has that option,it will help keep the dust down in the attic.When blowing the eave sides, shoot it against the roof and let it fall in place otherwise you will blow it on out into the soffitt.

fastg60

it may be helpful to install some of those styrofoam soffit vents, they staple in place between the rafters and allow you to blow right up to the soffit opening w/o blocking the ventilation flow.

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