I want to blow insulation in my attic, where can I buy the stuff to do it, and how hard is it ??

Answer 1

Your attic is the most critical area of your house to be adequately insulated. Since heat rises, a poorly insulated attic allows valuable heat from the living space of your house to escape during the winter. During the summer, heat trapped in your attic can reduce your ability to keep your house cool. In colder, Northern climates, an R-value of 49 is recommended for adequate attic insulation. In warmer climates, an R-value of 30 is recommended. Fiberglass insulation has an R-value of roughly 3.0 per inch of thickness. Cellulose is has an R-value of almost 4.0 per inch.
When insulating an attic, you should also consider how your attic is ventilated. If you currently have a floor in your attic, you need to pull up pieces of the floor to install the insulation.
BEFORE START
Make sure you wear a dust mask to prevent breathing in fiberglass and dust. You should also wear eye protection, a long sleeve shirt and gloves. If the attic does not have a floor, lay planks across the ceiling joists to use as a platform to work from. Keep all insulation away from ceiling electrical fixtures and fans. Do not push insulation up against roof sheathing. This will trap warm air in the winter and can lead to icicle problems. If you install fiberglass insulation without a vapor barrier, use sheets of plastic stapled in place. Lay the plastic on top of the drywall and staple it to the ceiling joists. Get a helper to run the insulation blower machine for you while you handle the nozzle end of the hose.

SHOPPING LIST!
MATERIAL NEEDED 1-Fiberglass insulation or Cellulose insulation 2- Baffles 3-Plastic sheets TOOLS NEEDED 1-Tape measure 2-Utility knife 3-Dust mask 4-Straight edge 5-Insulation blower
6-Pry bar

INSTALLATION:
Start by installing baffles in areas where you need to hold back insulation. Where ceiling joists intersect with roof rafters, insert a plastic or polystyrene baffle in each rafter bay. Staple the baffles in place.
2. Look for electrical fixtures that protrude into your ceiling. Since these fixtures can become hot when in use, you need to keep insulation a safe distance away. The best thing to do is to install baffles to hold back the insulation. Use a 1" x 4" or 1" x 6" to create a retaining wall on either side of the fixture. Keep the baffle about 3" away from the fixture
3. Next you need to make sure you have a vapor barrier in place. If you are installing insulation with a vapor barrier, make sure it faces the interior of your house. Another option for a vapor barrier is to take sheets of plastic and lay it between the ceiling joists. Use a staple gun to tack it to the sides of the joists.
4. To install fiberglass insulation, start by measuring out each section. Cut a piece to length and lay it in place. Make sure the insulation is tucked snugly into the space with no gaps next to the ceiling joists or baffles. Do not compact the insulation. This will defeat its insulating effect.
5. If you are not planning to put in an attic floor, you can lay a second layer of insulation perpendicular to the ceiling joists The second layer should not have a vapor barrier because moisture could potentially get trapped in between the two vapor barriers. This second layer will make it easier for you to obtain the recommended R-value for your climate.
6. If you have an attic floor and need to blow cellulose insulation into the spaces, you will need to temporarily remove some of your flooring. Strategically select pieces that will allow you to access all of the spaces in between joists. Run the blower hose up into your attic. You will need a helper to control the blower. Blow the insulation into the spaces between the ceiling joists. (Make sure you do not fill areas near any electrical fixtures (as discussed above, baffles will help hold back the insulation). Replace the flooring pieces you removed.
7. Cellulose (or loose-fill) insulation can also be installed in an attic without a floor. You probably will not need a blower since you can easily access all spaces in between joists. Pour the insulation into the spaces and spread it around evenly.
GOOD LUCK!!!!!!!!!!

Answer 2

if you look around most places will lend you a insulation blower free of charge if you buy the insulation from them.Keep the blower outside your house on a nice day (not to hot or your attic will be hell) run the hose into your attic via vent or attic hatch and wear a dusk mask (now heres the important part) have a "competent" person load the blower because there is alot of moving parts (especially in older machines) and spread it evenly throughout your attic. (the depth will depend on the r-value you are seeking and this info is found on the insulation bags.Also older homes have no insulation stops so be careful you don't cover the soffit vents with insulation (you may have to install the stops yourself)

Answer 3

Home Depot will rent you the equipment and sell you the insulation. It is a thankless, nasty job and here is why I recommend against it:

Blown-in fiberglass quickly dispenses from the attic into the breathing space via leaks around the a/c diffusers (or vents).
These tiny stands of fiberglass form "spears" that penetrate the alvioli or air sacks in the lungs. This can cause asthma, and greatly exacerbate symptoms in a pre-existing asthmatic.

I suggest that you investigate other ways to reduce your utility bill without jeopardizing your health. Good luck!

Answer 4

It's about the simplest do-it-yourself project you can manage. Buy the insulation at any home improvement store, rent the blower from the store, load it, point and shoot. It's about as simple as taking a pi$$.

Answer 5

the insulation just might be using you. get to know it first. and dont do it too much, it might start liking it better then sex.

Answer 6

you can buy one on hollywood blvd and depending how good she is it might be very hard