Loose Fill Insulation Bearspaw

Loose-fill insulation in Bearspaw, measured rather than estimated

Blown-in material fills the awkward parts of an Bearspaw building that batts leave gapped — around cross-bracing, over the top plates of interior walls, into the shallow triangle at the eaves. It settles over time, which is why it is specified at a settled depth rather than the depth it looks on the day. Air sealing comes first, because loose material laid over an open ceiling penetration hides the leak instead of stopping it.

• Settled depth specified and marked before the hose starts
• Even coverage carried right out over the top plates
• Depth read back at the corners, not just where the hatch is
• Baffles at the eaves so soffit venting stays clear
• Existing material assessed — topped up, or removed if it is wet or contaminated
• Ceiling penetrations air-sealed first, not buried

Loose Fill Insulation Bearspaw

Removing old loose-fill

Bearspaw drywall in context

Blowing into a wall that is already closed

Pot lights buried in loose material

Weight on the ceiling below

Storage areas and the platform question

Knob-and-tube and older wiring

Simple, clean, on schedule — Drywall in Edmonton

Loose Fill Insulation Bearspaw: your questions answered

Does loose-fill settle?

Yes, which is why it is specified at a settled depth rather than how it looks on the day. A job blown to look right can measure short a year later. We work to the published settled figure and mark it before starting.

Can I still store things in the attic?

Only over a raised platform. Anything laid straight on the joists compresses the material and cuts a thin channel through the middle of the ceiling. Otherwise a fully insulated attic is not also a storage room.

Will it block my soffit vents?

Not if baffles go in first. Loose material can also be pushed around by wind at the eaves, so the baffles both hold it clear of the vents and stop the edge being scoured thin — which is exactly where the house loses heat.

My bathroom fan vents into the attic. Does that matter?

A great deal — it is the fastest way to soak an attic from inside. We look for it while the space is open and flag it before covering anything rather than blowing over the top of it.

How do I know I got what I paid for?

Bag count. Every bag states the area it covers at a given depth, so bags used divided by area is exactly what went in. We keep them, mark the target settled depth, and read the depth back at the corners rather than the middle.

Is blown-in better than batts?

In an attic, usually yes, because it flows around trusses, bracing and wiring where batts get cut short or forced and leave gaps. In open framed walls at regular spacing, batts are fine. We recommend by the space, not by what is on the truck.