Loose Fill Insulation University of Alberta Farm

Loose-fill insulation in University of Alberta Farm, measured rather than estimated

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 University of Alberta Farm 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
• Ceiling penetrations air-sealed first, not buried
• 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

Loose Fill Insulation University of Alberta Farm

Bag count is the honest check

University of Alberta Farm drywall in context

Topping up what is already there

Knob-and-tube and older wiring

Access, hoses and how much of the house we cross

What we hand over at the end

Storage areas and the platform question

Simple, clean, on schedule — Drywall in Edmonton

Loose Fill Insulation University of Alberta Farm: your questions answered

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.

What if you find old wiring?

If we find wiring that must not be covered, we stop and say so rather than blowing over it. That is an electrician's call, not ours, and it is a real reason a job gets paused rather than finished the same day.

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.

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.

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.

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.