Loose Fill Insulation Lorelei

Blown-in insulation for Lorelei attics and closed cavities

Loose-fill insulation is blown in rather than cut and fitted, which makes it the right answer wherever a batt cannot go: over an irregular Lorelei attic floor, around trusses and bracing, and into wall cavities that are already closed. What you are paying for is settled depth spread evenly, and that is a thing which can be measured. Depth markers go in before the hose starts, and we read them at the corners rather than in the middle where it is always deepest.

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

Loose Fill Insulation Lorelei

Weight on the ceiling below

Lorelei drywall in context

Bath fans and the ducts above the ceiling

Filling around bracing and trusses

Settled depth versus installed depth

Storage areas and the platform question

Pot lights buried in loose material

Simple, clean, on schedule — Drywall in Edmonton

Loose Fill Insulation Lorelei: your questions answered

What about my pot lights?

Older recessed fixtures are not all rated to be covered and loose-fill packs right against them. We check the rating, and where they are not rated they get a proper clearance detail that is also sealed, rather than being buried and hoped about.

Can you just add over what is already up there?

Usually, and it is the best value if the existing material is dry, even and uncontaminated. If it is damp, matted, rodent-affected or hiding unsealed penetrations, adding over it buries the problem — we tell you which one we found.

Do you seal before blowing?

Yes, and it is the step most often skipped. Loose material laid over an open ceiling penetration hides the leak rather than stopping it, and the warm moist air coming through is what wets the insulation from inside.

Is it too heavy for my ceiling?

Rarely, but worth thinking about on an older lath ceiling or a long unsupported span. Where the ceiling is old or already sagging we would rather use the lighter material at a sensible depth, and sometimes recommend fixing the ceiling first.

How is old insulation removed?

With a vacuum and hose into sealed bags, not shovels, because disturbing decades of settled material raises a lot of dust. It also gives a clean deck to air-seal and a look at the structure before it is covered again.

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.