Beginner10

HI Everyone! I was just wondering if anyone has had good luck with Blown-in-Insulation? My house is 85 yrs old and while I had the bathroom redone...we saw the old black insulation only on the bottom quarter of the walls. Anyway...I have had 2 contractors tell me that they can take the vinyl siding off at the top (and no, did not use insulating foam between wood siding and vinyl-dumb mistake).
Then they would drill holes in the wood siding (cringe) and blow in the insulation. The reason I cringe...old wood siding still good shape at top. Hate to put holes in there.
The older I get, the more colder I get in the winter.
So...again any help or info on this would be great. Would like to hear personal experience before I do this in the spring!

Thanks and have a great day!

Tartan

I have heard reports on spraying in foam giving off bad fumes. I don't have personal experience but a loose fiber sprayed would be my choice. They put little round plastic plugs in the holes so check to see what colour they are to match your house.

tessagin

They usually seal it up pretty good with the blown in. The good companies try to not destroy the integrity of the siding. Get as much information as you can and don't be afraid to get 2nd and 3rd bids and opinions.

lawsonmugs

The holes are usually about the size of a reg. size canning jar lid. maybe 2"-3" dia. If they are taking off siding then drilling the holes when the siding is put back the holes should not show and they should plug the holes before they put the siding back. Good luck. I know of 2 people had this done and they are happy with the insulation.

nativetexan

I'm watching this. I need insulation but am only thinking of getting it in my attic space. new roof possibly too. Hate to spend money I don't really have to spend, but sometimes one must.

sewingsuz

Some energy companies pay some rebate money for some of this kind of work. We had APS pay $750 of our bill. That was three different rebates from them. Check it out. The companies should know about this. We also have a place called TO FIX IT and they recommend the best. The company's has to go through them first and they check them out.

QuiltingVagabond

The problem with blown-in insulation is that they can't see whether the void is being filled or if something like wiring or framing lumber is blocking the area. So it is better than nothing, but may still leave spots that are under-insulated.

Our solution was to sell our big old drafty farmhouse and get a small brick ranch! Much warmer and less maintenance too.

nivosum

Back in the mid 1970's, we had blown insulation put into the house we owned at the time. It worked fine. The shingles were removed, a small hole cut, and the insulation was blown in. I don't remember if they plugged the hole afterwards, but the shingles were put back on. It worked fine.

M.Elizabeth

I grew up in a house built in 1929. It was COLD in the winter. I remember being covered with so many quilts that I couldn't even turn over. My parents had insulation blown in, probably in the early 60s. I know it was before I graduated from high school in 1964. I don't know any of the details, but I know the house was considerably warmer after that in the winter. It also seemed to make it cooler in the summer. Good luck with your decision. I would think insulation blown in/used today would be much, much better than that in the 60s.

Grammahunt

When we remodeled they used blown in paper in the walls--bad choice. The areas with blown in brown plastic type stuff is very warm. Stay away from the paper!!