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Energy Retrofit

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  • HVAC Systems and Water Heaters
  • Air-Sealing and Insulation
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How to Choose and Install Blown-in Insulation

Get the information you need to decide whether cellulose, mineral wool, or fiberglass is right for your house, and get expert advice about how to install it correctly.

Choosing and installing the right kind of insulation is one of the most important things you can do to build a comfortable and durable home. While our Insulation Project Guide thoroughly explores all the options when it comes to insulation, this list focuses specifically on the what and how of one of the most popular choices: blown-in insulation. From fiberglass to cellulose, learn how to increase your R-value, insulate an attic floor, and how to tell the difference between insulation jobs done well and those that will give you a headache down the road.

  • How-To 1
    How to Insulate an Attic Floor
    How to Insulate an Attic Floor

    If you’re building a new home, remember to seal the air leaks before you insulate.

  • Tools & Materials 2
    dense-pack cellulose insulation
    Dense-Pack Cellulose Insulation Done Right

    How to tell the difference between a good cellulose insulation job and a bad one.

  • Tools & Materials 3
    What to Consider When Choosing Blown-In Mineral-Wool Insulation

    Architect and energy-efficiency expert Steve Baczek explains the performance and installation differences between blown-in mineral wool and dense-pack cellulose insulation.

  • How-To 4
    adding attic insulation
    Unfinished-Attic Insulation Upgrade

    Seal air leaks first, then blow in extra insulation for an energy-saving improvement that offers a great bang for the buck.

  • Tools & Materials 5
    Cellulose: The Perfect Insulation

    Cost-effective, versatile, and green, cellulose may be the hardest-working insulation available.

  • How-To 6
    Removing Old Insulation

    You can remove fiberglass batts yourself, but you'll need some professional tools, and should always keep safety in mind.

  • How-To 7
    Blown Insulation for Attics: Fiberglass vs. Cellulose

    Both perform better than batts and are less expensive than spray polyurethane. Neither is perfect.

  • How-To 8
    A Case for Double-Stud Walls

    Straightforward construction, common materials, and low embodied carbon are just some of the benefits of this superinsulated assembly.

  • How-To 9
    How to Add Blown-in Fiberglass Insulation

    Watch Mike Guertin blown in fiberglass insulation, an affordable way to increase R-value in homes with empty attics.

  • 10
    A man in leading a demonstration of installing dense-packed cellulose
    How to Install Dense-Packed Cellulose Insulation in Walls

    two representatives from National Fiber, Bill Hulstrunk and Chris White, share their tips for installing dense-packed cellulose in wall cavities

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Previous: Six Proven Ways to Build Energy-Smart Walls Next: Insulation Project Guide

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Energy Retrofit

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