11-14-2012, 05:24 PM
I did this for my son's house. "Rented" a blower at Lowe's for the day (which I think was actually free if you bought the insulation there). As I recall, it was maybe $500 total (DIY) to add ~8" of insulation depth in a ~24x60 ft attic.
Will second (or third, or fourth) the comments re ventilation; I put formed styrofoam baffles between the rafters of the roof down low toward the eaves to leave a path for air to rise up through the eaves and over the insulation, and out through end or roof vents (assuming you have eave vents- if you don't, put them in). Make sure you have a vapor barrier below the insulation. Good idea to mark the pipes. I also nailed down two 2x12's laid on end across the ceiling rafters, next to the ceiling access panel, to serve as a support for a 4x8 foot plywood sheet that went _over_ the insulation when it was all done, to make for a small attic storage spot. And you may need to build a box out of 1x12's around your access panel to hold back the insulation.
Then blast away, for a few messy, dusty hours. Start at the farthest end from the access panel, working your way back toward said panel. Then, wash off in a long hot shower, and start to enjoy a quieter, warmer home with lower heating bills.
Will second (or third, or fourth) the comments re ventilation; I put formed styrofoam baffles between the rafters of the roof down low toward the eaves to leave a path for air to rise up through the eaves and over the insulation, and out through end or roof vents (assuming you have eave vents- if you don't, put them in). Make sure you have a vapor barrier below the insulation. Good idea to mark the pipes. I also nailed down two 2x12's laid on end across the ceiling rafters, next to the ceiling access panel, to serve as a support for a 4x8 foot plywood sheet that went _over_ the insulation when it was all done, to make for a small attic storage spot. And you may need to build a box out of 1x12's around your access panel to hold back the insulation.
Then blast away, for a few messy, dusty hours. Start at the farthest end from the access panel, working your way back toward said panel. Then, wash off in a long hot shower, and start to enjoy a quieter, warmer home with lower heating bills.