What Is Blown-In Insulation: Is It Right for Your Home?

When it comes to improving your home’s energy efficiency, comfort, and cost savings, one of the smartest upgrades you can make is to your insulation. Among the many types of insulation available, blown-in insulation stands out for its flexibility, affordability, and effectiveness. But what exactly is blown-in insulation, and is it the right choice for your home?

At Koala Insulation of North Central NJ, we specialize in helping homeowners make smart, informed choices about insulation. In this blog, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about blown-in insulation—how it works, its benefits, and when it’s the best fit for your home.

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What Is Blown-In Insulation?

Blown-in insulation—also called loose-fill insulation—is made up of small particles that are blown or sprayed into spaces using specialized equipment. It’s designed to fill in gaps and cavities, making it ideal for hard-to-reach areas like attics, wall cavities, and floor joists.

There are two main types of blown-in insulation:

• Cellulose: Made from recycled paper products treated with fire retardant. It’s eco-friendly and offers excellent thermal performance.
• Fiberglass: Made from spun glass fibers and widely used due to its availability and affordability. It’s lightweight and resists moisture and mold.

Both options offer strong thermal resistance (R-value) and can be installed quickly by a professional team like Koala Insulation of North Central NJ.

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How Is Blown-In Insulation Installed?

Blown-in insulation is typically installed using a blowing machine that distributes the material through a long hose. For open areas like attics, it’s applied directly on top of the existing insulation or bare floor. For enclosed wall cavities, small holes are drilled into the walls to insert the hose, which then fills the space with insulation.

After the insulation is installed, any access holes are sealed, leaving no visible signs of the upgrade.

Benefits of this method include:

• Fast installation with minimal disruption
• Effective coverage, even in irregular or tight spaces
• Compatibility with retrofits and new construction

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The Benefits of Blown-In Insulation

1. Improved Energy Efficiency

Blown-in insulation forms a dense, consistent layer that reduces heat transfer and blocks air leaks. This helps maintain indoor temperature, reduces reliance on HVAC systems, and can significantly cut energy bills.

2. Quick and Easy Installation

Compared to batt insulation, which requires precise cutting and fitting, blown-in insulation can be installed quickly—even in tricky or oddly shaped areas. This makes it an ideal choice for both retrofits and new builds.

3. Excellent Coverage

Blown-in insulation fills gaps, cracks, and voids more completely than traditional insulation. This ensures fewer cold spots and less energy loss, especially in attics or between wall studs.

4. Noise Reduction

The dense composition of blown-in insulation helps absorb sound, making your home quieter by reducing noise transmission between rooms and from the outdoors.

5. Environmentally Friendly Options

Cellulose insulation is made from up to 85% recycled materials, making it one of the greenest insulation choices available. Choosing cellulose supports sustainable building practices.

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Is Blown-In Insulation Right for Your Home?

Blown-in insulation can be a great fit for many homes, especially in the following situations:

• You Have an Older Home: Many homes in North Central NJ were built with little or no insulation. Blown-in insulation is a fast, non-invasive way to upgrade energy performance without major renovations.
• You Need an Attic Upgrade: Attics are one of the biggest sources of energy loss. Blown-in insulation is a cost-effective way to boost your attic’s R-value.
• You’re Sealing Drafts or Cold Spots: Because it fills gaps and voids easily, blown-in insulation is ideal for fixing uneven temperatures in the home.
• You Want an Eco-Friendly Solution: Cellulose blown-in insulation offers sustainable thermal performance with minimal environmental impact.

Still not sure if it’s the right choice? Koala Insulation of North Central NJ can perform an in-home evaluation and recommend the best insulation strategy based on your needs and goals.

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R-Value and Blown-In Insulation

R-value refers to the material’s ability to resist heat flow—the higher the R-value, the better the insulation. Blown-in insulation generally offers:

• Fiberglass: R-2.2 to R-2.7 per inch
• Cellulose: R-3.2 to R-3.8 per inch

In the North Central NJ region (Climate Zone 5), the U.S. Department of Energy recommends attic insulation levels between R-49 to R-60. With blown-in insulation, this can usually be achieved with 13–17 inches of material.

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Blown-In vs. Other Types of Insulation

Here’s how blown-in insulation compares to other options:

Type	Installation	Best For	R-Value per Inch
Blown-In (Cellulose/Fiberglass)	Blown into spaces	Attics, retrofits, wall cavities	2.2–3.8
Batt Insulation	Cut and placed manually	Standard walls and ceilings	3.1–3.8
Spray Foam	Sprayed as a liquid that expands	Air sealing, high R-value needs	3.6–7.0

Blown-in insulation is often the best value when you’re looking for a cost-effective upgrade with fast results and solid energy savings.

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Partner with Koala Insulation of North Central NJ

Whether you’re looking to insulate your attic, upgrade your walls, or simply improve your home’s energy efficiency, blown-in insulation is a smart investment. At Koala Insulation of North Central NJ, we bring expert knowledge, high-quality materials, and professional installation to every job.

We’ll evaluate your home, identify areas where insulation can make the biggest impact, and provide you with a tailored recommendation that fits your budget and performance goals.

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Call for a Free Estimate Today

Ready to improve your home’s comfort, cut energy costs, and insulate smarter?

Call Koala Insulation of North Central NJ at (973) 548-9332 or visit https://koalainsulation.com/north-central-nj to schedule your free estimate.

Let us help you find out if blown-in insulation is the right choice for your home—and start enjoying the benefits today!