Is AttiCat Pink Insulation Right for Your Home?

AttiCat® Pink® Blown-in Insulation is a type of insulation material manufactured by the Owens Corning Company that is commonly used to insulate attics, walls, and floors in residential and commercial buildings. It is fiberglass, a lightweight, durable material that slows heat transfer. This article will provide the information you need to decide if this type of insulation is the right choice for your home.

The AttiCat system involves using a machine to blow loose-fill fiberglass insulation into a space. A machine blows it in at high speed. It then expands and fills the gaps where heat escapes. This creates a more complete and effective thermal barrier than other types of insulation, such as batt or roll insulation for hard-to-reach areas.

We used this product on closed walls and floors in one of our renovations. Here is our review.

Keep up with us and by the end of this article you will be able to decide whether or not to use AttiCat® Pink® Blown-In Insulation for your project. Let’s get started!

Figure 1

Why Choose AttiCat Pink Blown-In Insulation.

AttiCat ® Pink® Blown-In Insulation is a good option for homeowners who want to improve the energy efficiency of their homes by reducing the amount of heat lost through the attic, ceiling, and walls. It is easy to install; making it the perfect choice for DIYers. Also, installation takes hours, not days, so there is less disruption.

There are fewer options available for insulating older homes compared to new construction. In old homes you typically do not have full access to closed-off walls and floors.  AttiCat® Pink® Blown-In Insulation is a good choice for insulating cavities between wall studs and floor joists in renovation projects. Overall, this insulation is a good choice for homeowners who want to improve the energy efficiency of their homes, and who value quick and easy installation, high performance, and safety.

The Pros and Cons of AttiCat ® Pink® Blown-In Insulation

It is undeniable that AttiCat ® Pink® Blown-In Insulation is a good option for homeowners who want to improve the energy efficiency of their homes. Although there are a variety of benefits, there are also some drawbacks to consider when deciding if it is the right choice for your home. In this section, we will discuss the pros and cons of AttiCat ® Pink® Blown-In Insulation so that you can make an informed decision about your insulation needs.

Pros

• Use Options

• AttiCat ® Pink® Blown-In Insulation is mainly for attics, but it also works elsewhere in the home.
• For example, it works in exterior walls. It is a good choice when adding insulation between existing walls. Installers drill small holes from outside and blow it in between the studs.
• Floors are another good spot for it.  If the crawlspace or basement underneath the floor is unheated, or if a room is above the porch, insulation can help to prevent heat loss and improve energy efficiency. You can insulate the floor by blowing the product between the joists or underneath the floorboards using their special machine.

• Easy to Install

• One of the great features of AttiCat ® Pink® Blown-In Insulation is that it is quick and easy to install. Their special machine makes installation easy and quick. One person can run the blowing machine. Most jobs take a few hours, depending on size. Many people consider it an easy DIY project.

• Energy Efficient

• Another feature of AttiCat ® Pink® Blown-In Insulation is that it can help to reduce energy costs and improve the overall energy efficiency of a house or building. By providing an effective thermal barrier, the insulation can help to prevent heat loss during the winter months and reduce heat gain during the summer months. This can help to reduce the amount of energy needed to heat or cool the building, which can translate into significant cost savings over time.
• Overall, AttiCat ® Pink® Blown-In Insulation is a cost-effective and efficient way to improve the insulation of a house and reduce energy costs.

• Low Cost for its R-value1

• The cost depends on the area, the R-value you want, materials, labor and your local market.
• In general, AttiCat ® Pink® Blown-In Insulation tends to be a cost-effective option for increasing R-value compared to other types of insulation. One bag of the product weighs 27.5 lbs and costs approximately $58. Also when you buy 10 bags or more, you can rent their machine free of charge for 24 hours.

Figure 2

Cons

• Settling over Time

• Like other types of blown-in insulation, AttiCat ® Pink® Blown-In Insulation can experience settling over time. Settling occurs as the insulation fibers compress and shift, reducing the thickness of the insulation and potentially decreasing its effectiveness in providing thermal resistance.
• The settling problem is not unique to AttiCat ® Pink® Blown-In Insulation and can occur with any type of blown-in insulation. However, how much it settles depends on the installation, density and conditions.
• To minimize settling, it is important to install AttiCat Pink Blown-In Insulation correctly, ensuring proper thickness and density. This will help the insulation provide the necessary thermal resistance and will reduce the risk of settling over time.
• It is also important to choose the correct R-value for your specific needs and circumstances. Since the R-value measures the thermal resistance of the insulation, choosing the correct R-value ensures the necessary level of thermal protection.  

• Susceptible to Moisture

• Fiberglass insulation, including AttiCat ® Pink® Blown-In Insulation, can absorb moisture under certain conditions. A special coating helps it repel moisture and prevent it from penetrating the insulation fibers. However, if moisture does penetrate the insulation, it can reduce the thermal performance of the insulation and potentially lead to other problems such as mold growth or deterioration of the building materials.

AttiCat ® Pink® Blown-In Insulation Vs. Other Insulation Products

Many insulation products exist for home use. Here we will compare AttiCat ® Pink® Blown-In Insulation with the other most common insulation products.

• Fiberglass Batts

• This is one of the most common types in homes. AttiCat ® Pink® Blown-In Insulation is generally easier to install than Fiberglass Batts since it can be blown in quickly.  It also does not require cutting or fitting around obstructions. Contrary to AttiCat ® Pink® Blown-In Insulation, you cannot insulate an existing wall or floor using Fiberglass Batts without opening the area up completely. However, Fiberglass Batts may be a better option for walls in new constructions because you install them in a controlled way and they settle less.

Figure 3

• Cellulose Insulation

• AttiCat ® Pink® Blown-In Insulation and Cellulose Insulation are both blown-in insulation products, but they differ in their materials. AttiCat is fiberglass, while cellulose is recycled paper. Many people see cellulose as greener because it uses recycled material. However, AttiCat ® Pink® Blown-In Insulation is generally more moisture and mold growth resistant than Cellulose Insulation. The cost of installing blown-in Cellulose Insulation is generally higher than AttiCat® Pink® Blown-In Insulation.

Fig. 4

• Spray Foam Insulation

• Spray foam works well in walls that need an airtight seal. Spray Foam Insulation is also more effective at reducing air leakage and can provide a higher R-value per inch of thickness than AttiCat® Pink® Blown-In Insulation. As a result, Spray Foam Insulation is generally more expensive than AttiCat® Pink® Blown-In Insulation.
• Installers spray it onto surfaces, where it expands and hardens. It is an effective air and moisture barrier, while AttiCat® Pink® Blown-In Insulation is not. Spray Foam Insulation fills gaps and cracks, creating an airtight seal that helps prevent air and moisture infiltration. AttiCat® Pink® Blown-In Insulation may allow air and moisture to pass through gaps and cracks.

Figure 5

• Mineral Wool

• Mineral wool uses natural or synthetic fibers and comes in batts or rolls. Mineral wool resists fire well. It can handle up to 2,000°F without melting. AttiCat® Pink® Blown-In Insulation does not have as high of a fire-resistant rating as Mineral Wool, although it does have a Class A fire rating. It also absorbs sound, so it reduces noise. AttiCat® Pink® Blown-In Insulation is not as effective at reducing noise.
• AttiCat® Pink® Blown-In Insulation tends to be less expensive than Mineral Wool insulation, although the actual cost will depend on such factors as the size of the space being insulated and the R-value needed.

Fig. 6

• Rigid Foam Boards

• Rigid foam boards are solid sheets of polyiso, XPS or EPS. You cut them to fit wall or attic cavities. They provide a higher R-value per inch of thickness than AtticCat Pink Blown-In Insulation, meaning they are more effective at insulating your home. Rigid Foam Boards are also moisture-resistant and are not a food source for pests, making them a good choice in areas where these issues are a concern. They can also be more expensive than AttiCat® Pink® Blown-In Insulation.

Figure 7: From left to right: Expanded polystyrene (EPS), Expanded polystyrene (EPS), Polyisocyanurate (polyiso)

The Table below compares the most important features of the insulation materials discussed above at a glance.

Table 1

Table 2: Fire Resistance Classification

Table 3: Sound Transmission Rating

Overall, the best product depends on the area, R-value, environmental goals and budget. It is always a good idea to consult with a professional insulation contractor to help you choose the best insulation solution for your specific situation.

Our Experience with AttiCat® Pink® Blown-In Insulation

We did a renovation project in which we needed to insulate the walls and floor above a porch. Our priority was to keep the walls and floor intact as much as possible during the insulation installation process.  We were also looking for an insulation product that was quick and easy to install and would add a layer of energy efficiency to the room.  

By choosing to use AttiCat® Pink® Blown-In Insulation, all we needed to do was drill holes in the walls and the floor to insert the blowing machine’s hose. By moving the hose up and down and side to side, we were able to distribute the insulation evenly.

We found AttiCat® Pink® Blown-In Insulation to be the best choice for our situation and we can honestly say it worked pretty well for us.

Customer Reviews

In terms of customer reviews, the AttiCat® Pink® Blown-In Insulation system generally receives positive feedback for its effectiveness and ease of installation. However, as with any product, individual experiences may vary. We gathered the numbers from the reviews and ratings for this product from Home Depot and Lowe’s as shown in the table below.

Table 4

Owens Corning Customer Support

Owens Corning offers various forms of support to customers who purchase AttiCat® Pink® Blown-In Insulation. Experiences vary, but the company has a good reputation for customer support.

Here are some ways Owens Corning supports its customers:

1. AttiCat Machine Rental: You can rent the blowing machine for the job. Some stores offer a free 24-hour rental when you buy 10 or more bags; check your local store.
2. Technical Support: Owens Corning has a team of experts who are available to provide technical support to customers.
3. Installation Instructions: You will find them on the company’s website and in the rental kit.
4. Product Warranty: Owens Corning offers a limited lifetime warranty on AttiCat® Pink® Blown-In Insulation. This warranty covers defects in the product and guarantees that the insulation will maintain its R-value.  Click <here> for complete warranty information.

Final Words

Now that you know more about AttiCat® Pink® Blown-In Insulation, you can decide if it is the right choice for your home. Overall, this is a great product that will help you achieve energy savings in your home. Just weigh the factors above against your project.

At Matrix Company Solutions Corp., quality is always our concern. We found this product to be of high quality and it was easy to use for our renovation project.

We hope that you have found this article useful and informative. If you need help with any kind of renovation work, contact us today via our FREE Consultation Service. We are happy to help!