Does Blown-In Insulation Reduce Noise?

We live in a noisy world. Even in more rural areas of southern Pennsylvania, noise pollution can occur. Cars speed down your road, kids play outside, dogs bark, and people use power tools in their garages. Soundproofing becomes a priority for your insulation when you deal with excessive noise.

South Central Services has insulated hundreds of new and existing homes around Mechanicsburg, PA. Blown-in insulation is a popular choice for attics. Many homeowners just like you wonder if blown-in will help to reduce noise.

By the end of this article, you will understand:

• Why blown-in insulation is good at noise reduction
• Where blown-in can be installed
• Whether or not blown-in is right for your home

Don't have time to read right now? Check out everything you need to know at a glance.

Blown Insulation Does Significantly Muffle Sound.

Blown-in insulation can reduce noise. This feature is derived from the fluffy nature of blown-in. When blown-in fiberglass or cellulose is installed, the particles are stacked on each other. The structure of the insulation allows sound waves to be dampened. It is difficult for a sound wave to pass through layers of blown-in insulation.

Dense Pack Insulation Can Also Muffle Sound.

Another type of insulation that can muffle sound is dense pack insulation. Dense pack is sometimes confused with blown-in insulation. The confusion is understandable, considering both methods start with the same insulation material.

Dense pack is technically a different application than blown-in insulation. Despite the method of installation more tightly compressing the cellulose particles, dense pack is still a good product for muffling sound. Dense pack is also a more versatile method than blown-in insulation alone.

Blown-In Insulation Is Only Used On Attic Floors.

Blown-in insulation is installed on attic floors. An even layer, restrained to a particular area of the attic floor, can deliver the necessary R-value for an attic. By installing blown-in on the attic floor, you can prevent sound transfer in two different directions.

1. Echoes from inside your living space
2. Noise pollution from your neighborhood

Let’s examine these in more detail.

1. Blown-In Insulation Absorbs Echoes From Your Living Space.

One way that blown-in can reduce noise in your home is to absorb echoes from within the house. For any rooms directly beneath the attic, that layer of insulation helps to prevent any echoes. Sound waves cannot easily travel to the attic since they’d have to pass through that layer of insulation.

2. Blown-In Insulation Dampens Neighborhood Noise Pollution.

Another way that blown-in reduces noise is by dampening noise coming into the house through the attic. If the sounds of the neighborhood get into your attic, they will not press through the floor insulation into the rest of the home.

The Bottom Line About Blown-In Insulation And Noise Reduction

Blown-in insulation is capable of reducing noise. The nature of the blown-in product allows it to absorb sound waves and disrupt their travel. However, blown-in insulation is only a product for the attic floor. Still, installing blown-in insulation in the attic floor can reduce some noise in your home.

A layer of blown-in insulation on your attic floor will prevent noise from traveling between your attic and your living space. Whether it prevents living space echoes or dampens neighborhood noise pollution, blown-in insulation may be the sound attenuation solution you’re looking for.

Now that you understand how blown-in slows sound waves and where it can be installed, your next step is to:

• Estimate the cost of blown-in insulation for your attic floor
• Weigh the pros and cons of dense pack cellulose
• Compare different attic insulation options