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Blown-in insulation is widely used in residential and commercial properties due to its ability to fill irregular spaces and improve thermal performance. While material type and R-value often get most of the attention, one lesser-known but impactful factor is installation density. How densely the insulation is packed during installation directly affects thermal resistance, airflow control, and long-term performance. Understanding how density influences efficiency can help homeowners, builders, and energy consultants make more informed choices and prevent performance issues that stem from improper installation techniques.
Blown-in insulation services work by trapping air in small pockets between the insulation fibers. The way it's installed—particularly how densely it's packed—affects the size and stability of these air pockets.
Airflow within insulation can degrade thermal resistance. A denser fill helps stabilize air pockets, minimizing convection currents that lower effective R-value.
Insufficient density increases the risk of settling over time, especially with cellulose. This creates voids and reduces thermal coverage, especially in attics and wall cavities.
While denser material can boost R-value, overpacking can compress fibers to the point where airflow is reduced too much, leading to diminishing returns or moisture retention risks.
Each blown-in material—cellulose, fiberglass, or mineral wool—has an ideal density range. Staying within that range ensures balanced performance and longevity.