Installing Blown Cellulose Insulation

Measure the area of the attic to determine the total square footage. This will help you figure out how many bags of insulation will be needed for the room. Measure the length and width of each side of the room and multiply the two together. Add up all four sides to compute the total square footage.

Cover up any vents or other flashing with plastic. Set the plastic over the vents and tape it in place with duct tape. Seal off any other areas that you do not want to be sprayed with the plastic.

Pour the cellulose insulation into the blower and begin in the back corner of the attic. Aim the blower at the wall cavity and turn it on to begin spraying out the insulation. Cover all of the space between the two studs in the wall. Insert a ruler to measure the thickness of the insulation and add more, if necessary.

Move to the next wall cavity and continue down the back side of the attic, adding insulation to the blower when necessary. Continue around the attic, blowing insulation into the openings until all of the walls have been covered. Install insulation between the floor joists as well, working from the back of the attic to the front.

Remove all the duct tape holding the plastic in place. Take off the plastic and wait for the insulation to settle back into the cavity. Check the thickness in various spots with a ruler to make sure it is as thick as the desired R-value. (The thickness can be found on the bags of insulation.)