Why choose blown-in insulation? Loose fill fiberglass advantages

Sometimes, a fiberglass batt or roll – that comes in a specific size – just doesn’t fit the need. 

Whether it’s a hard-to-reach area, a tight spot or an odd-shaped space, there are times when pre-sized fiberglass insulation such as batts and rolls doesn’t make sense. And that’s when blown-in insulation, such as Johns Manville Climate Pro® or Attic Protector®, is the perfect answer.

Blown-in or loose fill insulation has lots of pros. Keep reading for all the details to determine if it’s right for your project.

What makes blown-in fiberglass insulation a good choice:

• Energy efficiency: Blown-in insulation provides energy efficiency while being cost-effective and easy to install. Loose fill fiberglass is used in high-performance, energy-efficient construction including Net Zero Energy and Passive House construction.
• Space conforming: It can fill in gaps and irregular spaces that other insulation types might miss, creating more complete coverage. Blowing wool is a great option when electrical or plumbing is already run in the walls, to insulate around the existing infrastructure without having to cut out sections of a fiberglass batt to install.
• Cost-effective: Especially in existing homes, blown-in insulation is a cost-effective solution. It can be added to an attic, for example, on top of existing fiberglass if additional R-value is needed, when determined by an energy audit. 
• No settling: Blown-in insulation does not settle. An extensive test by the Home Innovation Research Labs backs this up – their research shows “no signs of settling due to vibration caused by 65,700 opening and closing cycles of a typical residential exterior door.”
• Non-combustible: Glass is spun into tiny fibers to make blown-in fiberglass, and glass is naturally non-combustible. It does not involve treatment with chemical additives to prevent combustion like some other insulation types. ASTM E136 flammability testing shows that blown-in fiberglass insulation does not ignite.
• Simple to install: Loose fill fiberglass can be installed without tearing up walls or other surfaces, so it’s a less disruptive option for insulating compared to other options. It can be installed using netted blow-in application.
• Fiberglass is a low carbon building material: The North American Insulation Manufacturers Association (NAIMA) backs up the statement that fiberglass is truly low carbon, whereas products like cellulose and wood fiber release carbon back into the environment when they’re landfilled at the end of their lifecycle. Read more about that in this blog.
  
  

More about JM blowing wool products

Johns Manville Climate Pro is a Formaldehyde-free™ blow-in, loose fill fiberglass insulation. It offers thermal and sound control, along with fire resistance. It’s engineered for professional use with high-volume blowing machines, making it ideal for attics, nonconforming spaces and hard-to-reach areas, making the job faster and easier.

Attic Protector is another Formaldehyde-free premium blow-in fiberglass insulation that offers thermal and acoustical performance. It’s perfect for DIY homeowners or remodeling professionals and can be installed with a portable blowing machine (that can be rented from a home improvement store). 

Because both options are formaldehyde-free, they will not off-gas in the indoor environment. JM blowing wool products have effective resistance to heat transfer, and there’s no settling or loss of R-value after installation. Made from resilient inorganic glass fibers, Climate Pro and Attic Protector don’t rot, mildew or deteriorate. They’re also noncorrosive when in contact with pipes, wiring and metal studs.

Climate Pro and Attic Protector are fire resistant and noncombustible. They both reduce transmission of sound through exterior and interior walls and floor and ceiling assemblies for superior sound control.

The PresSure Gauge tool

When it comes to net and blow insulation applications in walls, installers can question whether they’ve got the correct R-value. With Johns Manville’s PresSure Guage, there’s no overfilling or underfilling, thanks to the easy-to-use tool. With a simple press of the gauge into the insulation, a visual indicator shows whether it is underfilled, overfilled or the correct R-value. No guessing, no incorrect fill, no waste.

Coming soon: JM increased blowing wool production

Johns Manville announced in February that a new Climate Pro blowing wool production line will be built in Winder, Georgia. Construction is expected to start early next year and the new production line will be operational in mid-2027. 

“Climate Pro insulation continues to see strong growth and demand in the market,” said Bob Wamboldt, President and CEO of Johns Manville. “This new production line in Winder will help JM meet our customers’ growing demand for blowing wool.”