# To blow or not to blow... **URL:** \ **Category:** NYSpeed Off Topic\ **Created:** [February 21, 2011, 5:17pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/to-blow-or-not-to-blow/209382 "2011-02-21T17:17:45Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![00zx6r](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/00zx6r/32/7244_2.png) [@00zx6r](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/00zx6r)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2011, 5:17pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/to-blow-or-not-to-blow/209382/1 "2011-02-21T17:17:45Z")
… insulation that is. Looking to insulate my inner joists in my basement. Just wondering what your thoughts are to blowing the insulation in there or just pink panther it. Any thoughts??? -Kevin ---
**Author:** ![Motocrossx23](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/motocrossx23/32/5120_2.png) [@Motocrossx23](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Motocrossx23)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2011, 5:27pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/to-blow-or-not-to-blow/209382/2 "2011-02-21T17:27:25Z")
Depends on the R value you want, fire barrier protection, sound insulation, etc. Personally I’m a fan of rockwool insulation. It’s semi-pricey but the benefits over typical fiberglass insulation are worth it in my mind. ---
**Author:** ![00zx6r](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/00zx6r/32/7244_2.png) [@00zx6r](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/00zx6r)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2011, 5:36pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/to-blow-or-not-to-blow/209382/3 "2011-02-21T17:36:36Z")
at least R-30. ---
**Author:** ![Jagermeister](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f19dbf/32.png) [@Jagermeister](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Jagermeister)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2011, 6:01pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/to-blow-or-not-to-blow/209382/4 "2011-02-21T18:01:20Z")
I had my attic blown b/c rolling would have been a PITA. For 1250 sqft it cost me $1150 to have it done by Home Insulation. I buttered the installers with some free tools and they threw on some extra to take it up to R-49. Woot Woot. ---
**Author:** ![00zx6r](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/00zx6r/32/7244_2.png) [@00zx6r](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/00zx6r)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2011, 6:14pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/to-blow-or-not-to-blow/209382/5 "2011-02-21T18:14:49Z")
> [@Jagermeister](#): > > I had my attic blown b/c rolling would have been a PITA. For 1250 sqft it cost me $1150 to have it done by Home Insulation. I buttered the installers with some free tools and they threw on some extra to take it up to R-49. Woot Woot. care to throw some tools my way; you know for the future installer(s) 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Fry](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/fry/32/7284_2.png) [@Fry](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Fry)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2011, 9:57pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/to-blow-or-not-to-blow/209382/6 "2011-02-21T21:57:52Z")
> [@00zx6r"](#): > > Looking to insulate my inner joists in my basement. What? Stuff the belt with fiberglass batt if it isn’t done already, but why would you insulate the 1st floor joists? Or is that not what you are talking about? ---
**Author:** ![00zx6r](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/00zx6r/32/7244_2.png) [@00zx6r](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/00zx6r)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2011, 8:54am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/to-blow-or-not-to-blow/209382/7 "2011-02-22T08:54:59Z")
rim joist i believe is the “technical term” - it’s right above the concrete foundation that goes around the perimeter of the house. ---
**Author:** ![Fry](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/fry/32/7284_2.png) [@Fry](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Fry)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2011, 9:01am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/to-blow-or-not-to-blow/209382/8 "2011-02-22T09:01:07Z")
Ah, we just called it the belt when I spent a summer doing that for a living. Definitely just get a roll of fiberglass batt, cut pieces to height, and stuff it in there. That’s the correct way to do it. ---
**Author:** ![Motocrossx23](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/motocrossx23/32/5120_2.png) [@Motocrossx23](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Motocrossx23)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2011, 9:40am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/to-blow-or-not-to-blow/209382/9 "2011-02-22T09:40:02Z")
You’re talking about the board the sits on the sill plate, correct? Yes, that is the rim joist. I’d just go with roll out fiberglass for that, get a decent R-value and call it a day. ---
**Author:** ![00zx6r](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/00zx6r/32/7244_2.png) [@00zx6r](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/00zx6r)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2011, 1:10pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/to-blow-or-not-to-blow/209382/10 "2011-02-22T13:10:58Z")
> [@Motocrossx23](#): > > You’re talking about the board the sits on the sill plate, correct? Yes, that is the rim joist. I’d just go with roll out fiberglass for that, get a decent R-value and call it a day. by decent R-value, what do you mean?? 30, 60??? ---------- Post added at 04:10 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:57 PM ---------- also i noticed (on google) that people are using the r-board (r-foam) and using greatstuff or caulk to set it in place. I would think the roll out fiberglass would be easier??? ---
**Author:** ![JustinH](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9fc29f/32.png) [@JustinH](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/JustinH)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2011, 2:50pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/to-blow-or-not-to-blow/209382/11 "2011-02-22T14:50:46Z")
Don’t concentrate too much on the R value, just take a look at the thickness of the batt insulation that you are putting up there, and see what will fit in the area. The lower R value stuff is going to be pretty thin, and might not fill the entire cavity. Take a look at a couple different rolls of pink panther and see what I mean. You want to be able to shove the insulation batt into the cavity and not have it fall out. I didn’t have to use staples or anything for mine. Get a sharp utility knife also. I have a pretty large basement, and spent about 30 dollars on insulation, and it does make a good difference. I used faced insulation. Cutting foam to fit up there would be a pain in the ass. I used foam panels to cover an old basement window, and it has a much lower R value of traditional fiberglass insulation. Before you put the insulation up, take a look if you need to buy a couple cans of spray foam, and spray it where you see any holes. I had a quarter sized hole from a previous utility company with cold air pouring into it. Also had a couple from cable lines, another good area is around where the water comes into the house. ---
**Author:** ![00zx6r](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/00zx6r/32/7244_2.png) [@00zx6r](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/00zx6r)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2011, 5:40am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/to-blow-or-not-to-blow/209382/12 "2011-02-23T05:40:38Z")
> [@JustinH](#): > > Don’t concentrate too much on the R value, just take a look at the thickness of the batt insulation that you are putting up there, and see what will fit in the area. The lower R value stuff is going to be pretty thin, and might not fill the entire cavity. Take a look at a couple different rolls of pink panther and see what I mean. You want to be able to shove the insulation batt into the cavity and not have it fall out. I didn’t have to use staples or anything for mine. Get a sharp utility knife also. I have a pretty large basement, and spent about 30 dollars on insulation, and it does make a good difference. I used faced insulation. Cutting foam to fit up there would be a pain in the ass. I used foam panels to cover an old basement window, and it has a much lower R value of traditional fiberglass insulation. > > Before you put the insulation up, take a look if you need to buy a couple cans of spray foam, and spray it where you see any holes. I had a quarter sized hole from a previous utility company with cold air pouring into it. Also had a couple from cable lines, another good area is around where the water comes into the house. should just have you come over and do it LOL. thank you though - much information you provided. I too was thinking about the r-board being a PITA, as I can see the regular(or whatever it’s called) insulation being a Lot easier. Also when i measured - i figured an R-13 would be suffiecient enough to keep the cold out and still sit in there snuggley. ---
**Author:** ![Blue\_Eyed\_Devil](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/blue_eyed_devil/32/7292_2.png) [@Blue\_Eyed\_Devil](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Blue_Eyed_Devil)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2011, 5:58am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/to-blow-or-not-to-blow/209382/13 "2011-02-23T05:58:01Z")
I had mine spray foamed. Good luck getting even close to a TRUE R30 with anything less. In reality what they call R30 or 49 or whatever won’t even be close unless you have a sealed install which is virtuallly impossible without sprayed foam. My 2 cents. Another 2 cents… If 3" inches gives you R19, 6" will NOT give you R38. In other words doubling thickness does NOT couble the R value. ---
**Author:** ![boardjnky4](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/96bed5/32.png) [@boardjnky4](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/boardjnky4)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2011, 6:31am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/to-blow-or-not-to-blow/209382/14 "2011-02-23T06:31:30Z")
pretty cool that you can get spray foam kits. too bad that $300 worth only covers 200 sqft though ☹ ---
**Author:** ![jimmyfloyd](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/jimmyfloyd/32/3077_2.png) [@jimmyfloyd](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/jimmyfloyd)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2011, 7:01am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/to-blow-or-not-to-blow/209382/15 "2011-02-23T07:01:00Z")
I am going to be doing this soon, so this helps. I was thinking originally of doing the panels, but seems like I will get around the same benefit with just getting the batts and caulking and cracks I might find. ---
**Author:** ![boardjnky4](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/96bed5/32.png) [@boardjnky4](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/boardjnky4)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2011, 8:13am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/to-blow-or-not-to-blow/209382/16 "2011-02-23T08:13:39Z")
don’t caulk the cracks, use Great Stuff expanding foam. It’s like $5 a can. ---
**Author:** ![Blue\_Eyed\_Devil](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/blue_eyed_devil/32/7292_2.png) [@Blue\_Eyed\_Devil](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Blue_Eyed_Devil)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2011, 8:25am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/to-blow-or-not-to-blow/209382/17 "2011-02-23T08:25:56Z")
> [@boardjnky4](#): > > pretty cool that you can get spray foam kits. too bad that $300 worth only covers 200 sqft though ☹ And it is not the same stuff the pros use. The stuff they sprayed in my house was heated to like 200 degrees, totally different formula, etc. It never hardens. The stuff that hardens can crack and you won’t have a moisture barrier. ---
**Author:** ![boardjnky4](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/96bed5/32.png) [@boardjnky4](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/boardjnky4)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2011, 9:25am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/to-blow-or-not-to-blow/209382/18 "2011-02-23T09:25:00Z")
so the stuff you got is different from the one that expands beyond the studs and then is scraped back? ---
**Author:** ![00zx6r](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/00zx6r/32/7244_2.png) [@00zx6r](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/00zx6r)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2011, 12:39pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/to-blow-or-not-to-blow/209382/19 "2011-02-23T12:39:15Z")
IIRC i don’t have any cracks in the rim joists that i can see… but i will be picking up some r-13 to start doing it this weekend - also come summer, I will be doing my attic (which is probably why my house it freezing cold all the time). I noticed too at Lowes if you buy $199.99 in insulation --\> you get a $50.00 gift card ---
**Author:** ![Blue\_Eyed\_Devil](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/blue_eyed_devil/32/7292_2.png) [@Blue\_Eyed\_Devil](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Blue_Eyed_Devil)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2011, 12:49pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/to-blow-or-not-to-blow/209382/20 "2011-02-23T12:49:59Z")
> [@boardjnky4](#): > > so the stuff you got is different from the one that expands beyond the studs and then is scraped back? I am pretty sure all of the pro stuff is pretty much the same. You can scape it back if too much is applied. [Next page](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/to-blow-or-not-to-blow/209382.md?page=2)