Eagle Shield Batt and Blown Insulation
Batt and Blown-in (loose fill) insulation, work by minimizing heat transfer through conduction and convection. The insulation itself has very low conductive properties, minimizing the transfer of heat from the insulation itself inside or outside your home depending on the season.
At the same time, conventional insulation traps heat within its fibers to slow down heat convection. It acts like a sponge to trap heat in either direction. The thicker the sponge (or higher the insulation’s R-value), the more it can hold. But, like a sponge, batt and blown-in insulation can only trap and hold so much heat. During the hot afternoons of summer, once at full capacity, heat becomes trapped and transfers back into your home’s living spaces making you uncomfortable.
High Performance Reflective Insulation,, sometimes called Radiant Barrier, combined with conventional insulation, eliminates this problem, delivering optimal energy savings and home comfort. Together, they block the 3 ways heat is transferred via conduction, convection and radiation.
Batt or blanket insulation is made of mineral fiber — either processed fiberglass or rock wool — and is used to insulate below floors, above ceilings, and within walls. It is the most common type of insulation in homes today. Generally, batt insulation is the least expensive wall insulation material but requires careful installation for effective performance.
If your batt insulation is more than 5 years old or has become compressed due to moisture build up, it is losing its effectiveness. Our expert Energy Consultants can quickly determine if your home needs additional insulation during a home energy audit. We will recommend the exact type and R-value your home needs for maximum energy efficiency and comfort. Order your energy audit now for only $349!
Blown-in or loose-fill insulation consists of different materials including mineral fibers, cellulose, and foam. It’s an ideal complement to batt insulation, fitting into hard-to-reach spaces and providing similar benefits by limiting the flow of air and slowing heat transfer.
- Enclosed existing walls
- Open new wall cavities
- Unfinished attic floors
- Irregularly shaped areas or spaces with obstructions
It generally costs more than batt insulation. However, it usually fills nooks and crannies more easily, reduces air leakage in small spaces better, and provides better sound insulation than batt-type insulation.
What is R-Value and Why is it Important?
Both batt and blown-in insulation are rated in terms of thermal resistance, called R-value. R-value indicates the resistance to heat flow. Simply put, the higher the R-value, the greater the insulating effectiveness. The R-value of thermal insulation depends on the type of material, its thickness, and its density. In calculating the R-value of a multi-layered installation, the R-values of the individual layers are added.
Standard fiberglass batts have a thermal resistance or R-value between R-2.9 and R-3.8 per inch of thickness. Eagle Shield High-Performance Batt Insulation (medium-density and high-density) has R-values between R-3.7 and R-4.3 per inch of thickness.
For moderate climates, R-19 is needed in the walls and floors and R-30 in ceilings below ventilated attics. Cold climates call for R-19 in walls and under floors and R-38 to R-49 in ceilings below ventilated attics.
Blown-in (loose fill) insulation typically has a value of approximately R-3 to R-4 per inch.
Fast, Professional Installation
Our expert Energy Consultants can quickly determine whether your home can benefit from batt or blown-in insulation during a home energy audit. We will recommend the exact type and R-value your home needs for maximum energy efficiency and comfort.
Batt insulation is best suited to a standard joist, rafter, or stud spacing of 16 or 24 inches. Batts and blankets come in widths to fit securely between the wood-framing members. Batts generally come in lengths of 4 or 8 feet. Blankets come in long rolls that are cut to the desired length for installation. Our team of certified installers will cut the batts to fit your exact attic and wall spaces and install them right over your existing insulation, completing the job in a few short hours.
Blown-in insulation is best installed by professionals. Installation typically requires special equipment that blows the insulation through and into the cavity or space. This includes the “two-hole method,” which entails drilling two holes spaced vertically between the exterior walls’ framing studs.