Comparisons
Batt vs Blown-In Insulation
For an open attic, blown-in almost always outperforms batts in the real world — not because the material is better, but because it covers better.
Updated January 2026 · about 6 min read
Coverage is the whole story
Attic framing is full of odd bays, cross-bracing, wires and truss webs. Batts leave gaps around all of it, and gaps are what kill performance. Loose fill flows around everything and self-levels.
In clean, uniform framing — new construction walls, standard joist bays — batts installed carefully perform just as well.
Cost and speed
Blown-in for a 1,500 sq ft attic: roughly $700–$1,200 in material DIY, 4–6 hours with two people. Batts for the same attic: $900–$1,500 and a full weekend of cutting and fitting.
Gear for this job
Owens Corning R-19 Unfaced Fiberglass Insulation 77.5 Sq.ft (15 in x 93 in) 1 Batt
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Owens Corning R-19 Fiberglass Batt Insulation Fits 2x6 Floor or Walls a Total of 10 Bags and Square Footage of 775 FT
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Owens Corning R-19 Unfaced Fiberglass Insulation 128-sq ft (24-in W x 96-in L)
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Owens Corning R-19 Faced 23 by 48 Fiberglass Batt Insulation Fits 2x6 Floor or Walls a Total of 10 Bags and Square Footage of 1280 FT
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Storage and access
If you need attic storage, batts between joists plus a raised platform keeps things tidy. Deep loose fill and storage do not mix — compressing loose fill with plywood destroys its value.
The hybrid answer
Many good attics use both: batts laid between joists, then blown insulation over the top to bury the thermal bridging of the framing. That combination is hard to beat.
Run the numbers
Frequently asked questions
- Can I put batts over blown insulation?
- Yes — unfaced batts laid perpendicular over existing loose fill work well. Never lay kraft-faced batts facing up.
- Which lasts longer?
- Both last decades if kept dry. Loose cellulose settles somewhat; batts can sag if poorly supported.
- Which is better for walls?
- In open new-construction walls, batts. In closed existing walls, dense-pack blown-in through drilled holes is the only practical retrofit.
Insulation gear worth owning
The tools and materials that show up on almost every insulation job.
Owens Corning R-19 Unfaced Fiberglass Insulation 77.5 Sq.ft (15 in x 93 in) 1 Batt
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Owens Corning R-19 Unfaced Fiberglass Insulation 77.5 Sq.ft (15 in x 93 in) 1 Batt
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PSI Woodworking DC3XX 1.5 HP Portable Dust Collector Motor Blower
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Attic Dek Flooring Storage System, Walking Deck Pallet Boards for Attic, Easy Installation Floor System for Garage, Roof and More, 4 Panels Included - Black
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