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BR recs for someone to blow-in insulation, maybe put OSB boards down
Posted on 2/11/25 at 8:05 pm
Posted on 2/11/25 at 8:05 pm
Considering hiring someone that is capable of doing both blow-in insulation in some spots of our crawl space that were done horribly in the past. After I'd like to get OSB sheathing down so i can use the crawl space more effectively for storage. That might be something i can DIY unless the price is right for someone else to do it. Previously there was repairs from a tiny fire caused by a faulty wiring with a heating fan and a large section of blow-in was replaced with pink insulation that isn't flush with the joists.
Any recommendations in the BR area for at least the first job? The area for blow-in might be no more than 200 sq feet. I have looked at rental costs to DIY this and it's not something i would feel comfortable doing correctly or in a timely manner by myself.
If DIY for the sheathing, tips are welcome.
Any recommendations in the BR area for at least the first job? The area for blow-in might be no more than 200 sq feet. I have looked at rental costs to DIY this and it's not something i would feel comfortable doing correctly or in a timely manner by myself.
If DIY for the sheathing, tips are welcome.
2
Posted on 2/11/25 at 8:46 pm to BilbeauTBaggins
In stead of OSB, I'd go regular 1/2 to 5/8 plywood.
Posted on 2/11/25 at 9:08 pm to BilbeauTBaggins
If you can climb your attic stairway, you can blow in the insulation yourself. All you have to do is pull up the hose with you. Have someone on the ground feed the insulation into the blower. Probably take about ten minutes. Kinda hard to do it wrong.
Also, use plywood, not OSB.
Also, use plywood, not OSB.
Posted on 2/11/25 at 9:27 pm to 9rocket
Gotcha. Yeah i would need to find a buddy to help with that. Current cost estimate just for too $200 and insulation $200 for that alone. Given that i would full at the very least to the top of the joists and top off any old sections, lets just add another $100.
If I'm putting plywood down, I'm guessing I can probably compress some of that insulation down with the boards and have no issues with that?
If I'm putting plywood down, I'm guessing I can probably compress some of that insulation down with the boards and have no issues with that?
Posted on 2/11/25 at 10:29 pm to BilbeauTBaggins
I would keep the compression of the insulation to a minimum, on a limited area. You lose some effectiveness by smashing it.
Posted on 2/12/25 at 7:56 am to 9rocket
Plytanium 15/32-in x 4-ft x 8-ft Pine Plywood Sheathing
Am I good with 15/32"? I am having a hard time finding 4'x8' in regular plywood. I am considering doing just 2'x4' at a slightly higher cost / sq ft since this will likely be a solo job for me. I am having a hard time finding anything at 1/2" alone but I can always look at 5/8" if that won't throw anything off too much with the weight of my ceiling.
Am I good with 15/32"? I am having a hard time finding 4'x8' in regular plywood. I am considering doing just 2'x4' at a slightly higher cost / sq ft since this will likely be a solo job for me. I am having a hard time finding anything at 1/2" alone but I can always look at 5/8" if that won't throw anything off too much with the weight of my ceiling.
Posted on 2/12/25 at 10:24 am to BilbeauTBaggins
15/32 is essentially 1/2”. It will work, but if you are a sizable fellow and plan on walking around up there you may want to go with the 5/8. Probably not much difference in price. I would recommend the 5/8 sheathing, usually denoted by the black paint stripes on the edges.
Posted on 2/12/25 at 11:00 am to 9rocket
It's hardly anywhere I can walk, as it is indeed a "crawl" space. I just want to be able to deck out the entire crawl space so that I can put storage stuff towards the back where there is only insulation.
Posted on 2/12/25 at 12:59 pm to BilbeauTBaggins
15/32 will work then.
Posted on 2/12/25 at 1:29 pm to 9rocket
I am looking to add insulation in Lafayette. I am debating on whether to do it myself or hire someone.
Posted on 2/12/25 at 5:59 pm to TDTOM
It’s not difficult.. It can be a little messy, but not too bad. You will be surprised at how quickly and easily it goes. Need at least 2 people, maybe 3. You can get free machine use if you buy 15 or more bags at Lowe’s or Home Depot.
Good luck !
Last time I requested a quote from an insulation company it was 1.25/ft. That was 25 years ago, I would imagine it’s even more now.
Good luck !
Last time I requested a quote from an insulation company it was 1.25/ft. That was 25 years ago, I would imagine it’s even more now.
This post was edited on 2/12/25 at 6:02 pm
Posted on 2/13/25 at 11:18 am to 9rocket
Doing some research because a friend and I both might end up splitting a pallet to cover our houses and getting at least half a pallet will give us a free blower rental for a day. My concern is this:
If I am putting down plywood, I'm effectively maxing out the R-value of my insulation if my joists are 10" joists. Does playwood covering them have any type of insulation benefit? My backup plan is to eventually put a crawl space access to our covered attached carport that has a crawl space as well. I might be over thinking this, but I just want to make sure I'm not just wasting money putting insulation in unnecessary spaces if putting plywood down would actually not benefit my home climate.
If I am putting down plywood, I'm effectively maxing out the R-value of my insulation if my joists are 10" joists. Does playwood covering them have any type of insulation benefit? My backup plan is to eventually put a crawl space access to our covered attached carport that has a crawl space as well. I might be over thinking this, but I just want to make sure I'm not just wasting money putting insulation in unnecessary spaces if putting plywood down would actually not benefit my home climate.
Posted on 2/13/25 at 5:53 pm to BilbeauTBaggins
Any R-value you get from the plywood would be minimal, at best. You would need to floor the attic completely, and even then you would only gain 1-2 r-value. Maybe less.
With 2x10 joists you will have 9+ inches of insulation which would be substantial. You can go as thick as you want in the areas not covered.
Good idea going in with a neighbor.
With 2x10 joists you will have 9+ inches of insulation which would be substantial. You can go as thick as you want in the areas not covered.
Good idea going in with a neighbor.
This post was edited on 2/13/25 at 5:55 pm
Posted on 2/14/25 at 8:42 am to 9rocket
I tried using the loner machine from home Depot. None of them worked to blow cellulose insulation. It might work fine for fiberglass but I was about to get into that itchiness. I ended up having to rent one from AAA and it worked just fine except for the added cost.
If you're going to end up doing that spray foam all your top plates where the electrical and plumbing penetrate. That will save you a ton in savings energy-wise.
If you're going to end up doing that spray foam all your top plates where the electrical and plumbing penetrate. That will save you a ton in savings energy-wise.
This post was edited on 2/14/25 at 8:44 am
Posted on 2/14/25 at 11:22 am to Maillard
Supposedly they have separate machines for fiberglass vs. cellulose.
Posted on 2/14/25 at 11:56 am to Maillard
quote:
It might work fine for fiberglass but I was about to get into that itchiness
fyi, the new fiberglass blown in stuff is pretty much itch-free. Nothing like the old stuff. Just a very light fluffy fiber.
quote:
If you're going to end up doing that spray foam all your top plates where the electrical and plumbing penetrate. That will save you a ton in savings energy-wise.
It wouldn't surprise me if doing a thorough job of sealing any hole/crack in the ceiling has a better return on energy savings than adding more insulation. Its a huge thing people don't pay enough attention to. And after adding another laying of blown in insulation, it gets even harder ,if not impossible, to do good job of.
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