Blown-in attic insulation is loose-fill material installed through a hose, filling the attic floor with thousands of small fibers that form a seamless, gap-free blanket. Because it flows into place, it covers around wiring, framing, and uneven older surfaces that rigid panels and pre-cut batts leave exposed.
The attic is where most homes lose the most heat, so it is usually the highest-return insulation upgrade a homeowner can make. The U.S. Department of Energy recommends R-49 to R-60 for our climate in the lower Hudson Valley and northern New Jersey — many older homes have only a few settled inches.
The Home Insulators has installed attic insulation across Westchester, Rockland, and Bergen County since 2015. Call 914-825-6824 for a free energy audit.
What is blown-in insulation and how is it installed?
Blown-in, or loose-fill, insulation is installed with a hose that fills a space with thousands of small fibers, forming a seamless, gap-free blanket. Because it flows into place, it conforms around wiring, framing, and the uneven surfaces of an older attic in a way that rigid panels and pre-cut batts cannot.
It comes in two common materials:
- Cellulose — made largely from recycled paper treated with borate for fire and pest resistance. It insulates at roughly R-3.2 to R-3.8 per inch and packs densely, which helps slow air movement.
- Loose-fill fiberglass — spun glass fibers at about R-2.2 to R-2.9 per inch. It is lightweight and will not soak up moisture the way cellulose can.
For comparison, a standard fiberglass batt delivers about R-3 to R-4 per inch. The real advantage of blown-in is not a higher R-value per inch but complete, continuous coverage — no seams, gaps, or compressed corners where heat can slip through.
Why should the attic be insulated first?
Warm air rises. In winter, the heated air in your home pushes upward and escapes through the attic, pulling cold air in at the lower levels — an effect building scientists call the stack effect. That is why an under-insulated attic drives up heating bills more than almost any other part of the house.
The U.S. Department of Energy recommends attic insulation of roughly R-49 to R-60 for our climate here in the lower Hudson Valley and northern New Jersey. Many homes built before modern energy codes have far less — sometimes only a few settled inches. Adding blown-in insulation on top of what already exists is often the highest-return energy upgrade a homeowner can make.
Why does air sealing have to come first?
Insulation slows heat transfer, but on its own it is not an air barrier. Before we add any material, we seal the hidden gaps where air actually leaks — around recessed lights, plumbing and wiring penetrations, the attic hatch, and the top plates of your walls. We also install baffles at the eaves so your soffit-to-ridge ventilation keeps working and the insulation stays dry. Skipping this step is the most common reason an insulation job underperforms.
What are the pros and cons of blown-in insulation?
Blown-in insulation earns its popularity, but it helps to see the full picture:
- Pros: seamless coverage, fast installation, works over most existing insulation, affordable, and — with cellulose — high recycled content.
- Cons: loose-fill can settle over time (a quality install accounts for this with the correct depth), it loses R-value if it gets wet or compressed, and it does not replace the air sealing described above.
The work itself is quick and low-disruption. Most attics are finished in a single day. Our crew protects your living space, runs a hose from the blower up to the attic, and fills to a measured, marked depth so you get the full rated R-value. There is no wet cure and no lingering odor — the space is ready to use as soon as we clean up.
Want the longer version? Our complete homeowner guide to attic insulation walks through R-values, materials, costs and what to expect on installation day.
Common questions about attic insulation
What is blown-in attic insulation?
Blown-in, or loose-fill, insulation is installed with a hose that fills a space with thousands of small fibers, forming a seamless, gap-free blanket. Because it flows into place, it conforms around wiring, framing, and the uneven surfaces of an older attic in a way that rigid panels and pre-cut batts cannot.
Should I use cellulose or fiberglass for blown-in insulation?
Cellulose is made largely from recycled paper treated with borate for fire and pest resistance. It insulates at roughly R-3.2 to R-3.8 per inch and packs densely, which helps slow air movement. Loose-fill fiberglass is spun glass at about R-2.2 to R-2.9 per inch — lighter, and it will not soak up moisture the way cellulose can. Which one fits depends on the attic, which is what the free audit determines.
How much attic insulation do I need?
The U.S. Department of Energy recommends roughly R-49 to R-60 for the climate in the lower Hudson Valley and northern New Jersey. Many homes built before modern energy codes have far less, sometimes only a few settled inches.
Why should the attic be insulated before anywhere else?
Warm air rises. In winter, heated air pushes upward and escapes through the attic, pulling cold air in at the lower levels — the stack effect. That is why an under-insulated attic drives up heating bills more than almost any other part of the house, and why adding insulation there is often the highest-return energy upgrade a homeowner can make.
Can blown-in insulation go over existing insulation?
Yes. Blown-in works over most existing insulation, and adding it on top of what is already there is one of the most common upgrades we install.
Does blown-in insulation settle over time?
It can. A quality installation accounts for this by filling to the correct depth from the start. It also loses R-value if it gets wet or compressed, which is why the air sealing and ventilation work around it matters.
Do you need to air-seal before adding insulation?
Yes. Insulation slows heat transfer but is not an air barrier. Before adding material we seal the hidden gaps where air actually leaks — around recessed lights, plumbing and wiring penetrations, the attic hatch, and the top plates of your walls — and install baffles at the eaves so ventilation keeps working and the insulation stays dry. Skipping this is the most common reason an insulation job underperforms.
How long does attic insulation take to install?
Most attics are finished in a single day. Our crew protects your living space, runs a hose from the blower up to the attic, and fills to a measured, marked depth so you get the full rated R-value. There is no wet cure and no lingering odor — the space is ready to use as soon as we clean up.
Do you serve my area?
We work across Connecticut, the Hudson Valley, and all of New Jersey, with most projects in Westchester, Rockland, and Bergen County. Call 914-825-6824 to check your address.
Towns where we install attic insulation
Westchester County, NY — Armonk, Bedford, Briarcliff Manor, Bronxville, Chappaqua, Cortlandt, Eastchester, Greenburgh, Harrison, Hartsdale, Irvington, Larchmont, Lewisboro, Mamaroneck, Mount Kisco, Mount Pleasant, Mount Vernon, New Castle, New Rochelle, North Castle, North Salem, Ossining, Peekskill, Pelham, Port Chester, Pound Ridge, Purchase, Rye, Scarsdale, Somers, Tarrytown, Tuckahoe, Valhalla, Westchester County, White Plains, Yonkers, Yorktown.
Rockland County, NY — Clarkstown, Haverstraw, Nanuet, Nyack, Pearl River, Ramapo, Rockland County.
Bergen County, NJ — Closter, Cresskill, Englewood, Fort Lee, Hackensack, Leonia, Mahwah, Montvale, New Hillsdale, Norwood, Palisades Park, Paramus, Ramsey, Ridgefield, Rutherford.
We also work across Fairfield County, Connecticut, and the wider Hudson Valley. If your town is not on the list, call 914-825-6824 — we very likely still cover it.
Not sure how much insulation you actually have, or how much you are losing? A free energy audit from The Home Insulators gives you a clear, honest picture and a plan to cut your bills, often by 20% or more. Call us at 914-825-6824 to schedule yours. We are a family-owned company that has served Westchester, Rockland, and Bergen County homeowners since 2015.