Blown-In Cellulose Insulation
Blown-in cellulose for attics that are thin, settled, or patched over the years, in homes and cabins from Pagosa Springs to Bayfield, Durango, and the upper Rio Grande. It's the straightforward, lower-cost way to add depth to a vented attic, done by a local crew. Foam Insulation Specialists has been insulating southwest Colorado since 2000.
What cellulose is, and why it works in an attic
Cellulose is made mostly from recycled paper, treated for fire resistance and shredded into a loose fill. We blow it in through a hose, so it drifts into the corners, around wiring, and between ceiling joists that a batt never quite fills.
Spread evenly across an attic floor, it covers the tops of the joists, slows the heat rising out through the ceiling, and quiets the rooms below. In a vented attic over a flat ceiling, that's often all the house needs.
Air seal first, then blow it in
Cellulose slows heat; it doesn't stop air. If warm air is leaking up around recessed lights, the attic hatch, plumbing stacks, and top plates, piling more insulation on top only hides the leak. In snow country, that leak is what melts the snow from underneath and builds ice dams at the eaves.
So on most attic jobs we seal the big holes first, sometimes with spray foam, and then blow the cellulose to depth. That order is what makes a top-up pay off. More on attics, ice dams, and rooflines is on our attic insulation page.
Where cellulose fits, and where it doesn't
Good fit: older vented attics
An older house or cabin with a flat ceiling and a few inches of old insulation. Seal it, then top it up.
Good fit: settled or patched attics
Insulation that's been walked on, pushed around during a remodel, or matted down. Blown-in fills the low spots evenly. Anything that's been wet gets looked at first.
Not the fit: vaulted ceilings and roof decks
Where the roof is the ceiling, there's no attic floor to blow onto. Those get spray foam in the rafters instead.
Cellulose or blown-in fiberglass?
We blow both. Cellulose is denser, settles into place, and does a good job of quieting the room below. Blown-in fiberglass is lighter and doesn't take on moisture the way a paper-based fill can, and some owners simply prefer it. Either one costs far less than spray foam to cover a flat attic floor, which is why we don't push foam where a top-up does the job.
What customers say
Google 5.0★ from 12 reviews.
"Mike was Great! Price was Great! His crew were Great! And professional Product was great and looking at there equipment was sound and neat. No break downs or running out of material. Thanks" — Daniel Britten, Google review
Attic top-ups across our service area
Most of our cellulose work is in older homes and cabins: around Pagosa Springs and Pagosa Lakes, in Bayfield and Durango, over the pass in South Fork and Creede, and in the Chama, New Mexico area. A lot of them are second homes that sit empty through cold snaps, and a sealed, topped-up attic is one of the least expensive ways to help them through a winter.
Cellulose questions
Does blown-in cellulose settle?
Some, yes. Loose fill settles a little after it's installed, so it goes in deep enough to allow for that. Older cellulose that has settled over the years is one of the most common things we top up.
Is cellulose a fire risk if it's made from paper?
It's treated for fire resistance before it reaches your attic. We still keep insulation the proper distance from chimneys and flues.
Can you blow cellulose into my walls?
Sometimes. Finished walls are a case-by-case call. We look at them on the walkthrough and tell you whether blown-in, foam, or leaving them alone makes sense.
How much does an attic top-up cost?
It depends on the size of the attic, what's up there now, and how much air sealing it needs. The walkthrough is free, and we follow up with a quote by phone.
Book a free walkthrough
Tell us how old the house is and what's in the attic now, and we'll come look. No charge for the visit.
