Shopping for attic insulation? You've probably encountered two major options: blown-in (loose-fill) insulation and batt insulation (those rolled-up pink fiberglass panels). Both will insulate your home, but they work differently, cost different amounts, and perform differently in real-world conditions.

So which one is actually better for your North Carolina home? Like most honest answers in the home improvement world: it depends on your specific situation. But we're going to break down the pros, cons, costs, and performance of each type so you can make an informed decision. No jargon, no sales pitch—just the facts you need to know.

The Basics: What Are We Comparing?

Batt Insulation (Also Called Blanket Insulation)

Batt insulation is what most people picture when they think of insulation: pre-cut panels or rolls of fluffy fiberglass (occasionally mineral wool) that come in standard widths to fit between ceiling joists or wall studs. You've probably seen it—it's typically pink, yellow, or white, and looks kind of like cotton candy (but please don't eat it).

Batts come in standard R-values and thicknesses, with facings (paper or foil backing) or unfaced. Installation is straightforward: unroll, cut to fit, place between joists. Easy peasy, right? Well, sort of.

Blown-In Insulation (Loose-Fill)

Blown-in insulation consists of small particles of fiber—either fiberglass or cellulose (recycled paper products)—that are blown into your attic space using specialized equipment. The material settles into all the nooks, crannies, gaps, and irregular spaces that are common in real-world attics.

Installation requires professional equipment: a large hopper machine and a long hose that delivers the insulation material where it needs to go. Think of it like a snow machine, but instead of fake snow for a holiday display, it's insulation for your energy bills.

Round 1: Installation and Coverage

Batt Insulation: The DIY Option

Advantages:

  • True DIY project—no special equipment needed
  • Available at any home improvement store
  • Straightforward installation (in theory)
  • You can visually inspect coverage as you go
  • Great for standard, rectangular spaces with few obstructions

The Reality Check:

Here's where theory meets practice. Installing batt insulation correctly is harder than it looks. Every gap, compression, or misalignment reduces effectiveness significantly. Research shows that even 5% gaps in batt installation can drop the effective R-value from R-38 down to R-20—nearly cutting performance in half.

Real attics have wiring, junction boxes, pipes, recessed lights, irregular spacing, and all sorts of obstacles. Cutting batts to fit perfectly around every obstruction while maintaining proper thickness and avoiding compression? That's where most DIY installations (and even some professional ones) fall short.

Blown-In Insulation: The Professional's Choice

Advantages:

  • Fills every gap, crack, and irregular space naturally
  • Flows around obstacles like wiring and pipes
  • Consistent coverage throughout the attic
  • Much faster installation for large areas
  • Can be added on top of existing insulation easily

The Reality Check:

You'll need professional installation (or rent the equipment and risk looking like you lost a fight with a cotton candy machine). The machines are loud, the process is messy if not done carefully, and proper installation requires skill to achieve uniform depth and density.

However, when installed correctly, blown-in insulation provides superior coverage compared to batts—especially in the tight corners, edges, and irregular spaces where batts struggle.

Winner: Blown-In Insulation for coverage and consistency, though batts get points for DIY accessibility.

Round 2: R-Value and Performance

Let's talk about actual insulating performance—because that's what really matters when you're trying to keep your home comfortable and your energy bills reasonable.

R-Value Per Inch

  • Fiberglass batts: R-2.9 to R-3.8 per inch
  • Blown fiberglass: R-2.2 to R-2.7 per inch
  • Blown cellulose: R-3.2 to R-3.8 per inch

On paper, batts and cellulose have comparable R-values. But here's what the specs don't tell you: R-value ratings are based on perfect installation under laboratory conditions. Real-world performance? That's a different story.

Real-World Performance: Where Blown-In Wins

Air Infiltration:

Blown-in insulation, especially cellulose, creates a dense, continuous mat that significantly reduces air movement through and around the insulation. Cellulose has nearly 40% better air infiltration resistance than fiberglass. Why does this matter? Because air leaks are one of the biggest energy wasters in homes—even more than inadequate R-value.

Batts, on the other hand, allow air to move around and through them more easily, especially at seams, edges, and anywhere they don't fit perfectly (which is most places in real attics).

Temperature Performance:

Here's something most people don't know: fiberglass loses effectiveness in extreme temperatures—exactly when you need it most. In North Carolina's 130°F summer attics or near-freezing winter nights, fiberglass R-value drops because air moves more easily through it at temperature extremes.

Cellulose maintains its R-value more consistently across temperature ranges because its density restricts air movement better.

Settling Over Time:

Here's where batts score a point: they don't settle. Once installed, they maintain their thickness (assuming they weren't compressed to begin with). Blown-in insulation, especially loose-fill fiberglass, can settle 10-20% over time, reducing its effective R-value. Cellulose settles less than blown fiberglass but still compacts somewhat over the years.

This is why professional installers blow insulation to slightly above target depth initially—accounting for expected settling.

Winner: Blown-In (especially cellulose) for real-world performance, with batts getting credit for not settling.

Round 3: Cost Comparison

Let's talk money. We're in Greensboro, not Manhattan, so cost matters.

Upfront Material and Installation Costs

Batt Insulation:

  • Material cost: $0.30-$1.00 per square foot (depending on R-value)
  • DIY installation: Just your time and maybe $50 in supplies
  • Professional installation: $1.50-$3.00 per square foot total

Blown-In Insulation:

  • Material cost: $0.50-$1.50 per square foot
  • Professional installation: $2.00-$4.00 per square foot total
  • DIY equipment rental: $75-150/day, but you'll need help and still might not match pro quality

Clear winner on upfront cost: Batt insulation, especially if you're doing it yourself.

Long-Term Value and Energy Savings

But here's where the math gets interesting. Better installation and performance from blown-in insulation typically means:

  • 15-25% lower energy bills compared to poorly installed batts
  • More consistent comfort (which has value even if it's hard to quantify)
  • Less likelihood of needing upgrades or fixes down the road

If blown-in insulation saves you an extra $15-30 per month on energy bills compared to DIY batts, it pays for the cost difference in 3-7 years. After that, it's pure savings for the next 20+ years. (See our post on how long insulation lasts for more on lifespan.)

Winner: Depends on your timeline. Batts win for lowest upfront cost; blown-in wins for long-term value.

Round 4: Moisture and Durability

In North Carolina's humid climate, moisture management is critical. Let's see how these insulation types hold up.

Moisture Resistance

Fiberglass (both batts and blown):

  • Doesn't absorb water readily
  • Can dry out if it gets wet
  • However, can trap moisture in localized areas, promoting mold
  • Performance drops significantly when wet but recovers when dry

Cellulose:

  • Treated with fire retardants that also provide some moisture resistance
  • Absorbs moisture more readily than fiberglass
  • Better at managing moisture distribution (doesn't trap it in pockets)
  • If it gets thoroughly soaked, usually needs replacement

In our experience serving Greensboro homes, moisture issues are usually caused by roof leaks or inadequate ventilation—not the insulation type itself. Fix the underlying moisture problem, and both types perform fine. Let moisture persist, and both types will fail.

Winner: Slight edge to fiberglass for ability to recover from minor moisture exposure, but proper attic ventilation matters more than insulation type.

Round 5: Environmental Impact

If eco-friendliness matters to you (and hey, we live here too, so it should matter to all of us), here's the breakdown:

Cellulose Insulation

  • 85% recycled content (mostly newspapers and cardboard)
  • Lowest embodied energy of any insulation type
  • Treated with borates (relatively low-toxicity minerals)
  • Biodegradable

Fiberglass (Batts and Blown)

  • 20-30% recycled content (recycled glass)
  • Higher embodied energy in manufacturing
  • Generally formaldehyde-free in modern products (we use formaldehyde-free Climate Pro)
  • Not biodegradable but can be recycled

Winner: Cellulose for the green-minded homeowner.

So Which Should YOU Choose?

Alright, enough theory. Let's get practical. Here's our honest recommendation for different situations:

Choose Batt Insulation If:

  • Budget is your primary concern and you're comfortable DIYing
  • You have a simple, unobstructed attic space with regular joist spacing
  • You're adding insulation to a small area where equipment setup wouldn't make sense
  • You want to do a phased approach—insulating one section at a time as budget allows
  • You're insulating basement ceilings or walls where batts often work better anyway

Important caveat: If you go the batt route, commit to doing it right. Take your time, cut carefully around obstacles, don't compress the material, and seal air leaks first. Half-effort batt installation will underperform and waste your money.

Choose Blown-In Insulation If:

  • You want the best performance and coverage and can afford the higher upfront cost
  • Your attic has lots of obstacles, irregular spacing, or hard-to-reach areas (most attics, honestly)
  • You're topping up existing insulation—blown-in fills gaps and settles on top beautifully
  • You want professional installation with predictable, consistent results
  • Long-term energy savings and home value matter more than initial cost
  • You value environmental sustainability (go with cellulose)

What We Recommend for Most Greensboro Homes

Honestly? For most attic insulation projects in our area, blown-in cellulose or Climate Pro fiberglass is the way to go. Here's why we see better results with blown-in:

  1. North Carolina attics are rarely simple. Between HVAC equipment, ductwork, wiring, pipes, and irregular framing, there are just too many opportunities for gaps with batts.
  2. Our climate demands good air sealing. Hot, humid summers and variable winters mean air infiltration is a huge comfort and energy issue. Blown-in insulation's superior air-sealing properties make a real difference.
  3. Professional installation ensures results. We've seen too many DIY batt jobs (and even some pro batt jobs) that leave gaps and compression issues. Blown-in installation is more consistent.
  4. Adding to existing insulation is easy. Most Greensboro homes built before 2000 have some insulation—just not enough. Blowing more on top is quick and effective.
  5. It pays for itself. The energy savings typically justify the higher upfront cost within 5-7 years, then it's savings for decades.

Hybrid Approach: Best of Both Worlds?

Here's an option many people don't consider: combining both types. If you already have batt insulation in decent condition but just need more R-value, we can blow loose-fill insulation right on top of your existing batts.

This approach gives you:

  • The stable base layer of batts (already paid for)
  • The gap-filling benefits of blown-in on top
  • Cost savings by not removing and disposing of old insulation
  • Quick project completion

We do this all the time for customers with older homes that have R-19 or R-25 batts—we add blown-in insulation to bring them up to the recommended R-38 to R-49. It's cost-effective and performs great.

Don't Forget About Radiant Barriers

Since we're talking about attic insulation in North Carolina, we'd be remiss not to mention radiant barriers. Traditional insulation (whether batts or blown-in) slows conductive heat transfer. But in summer, most attic heat comes from radiant heat—direct radiation from your scorching hot roof.

Radiant barriers reflect that radiant heat before it even warms up your attic space, making your insulation's job much easier. We often install AtticFoil radiant barriers alongside blown-in insulation for maximum summer comfort and efficiency. The combination is especially effective in our climate.

The Bottom Line

There's no universal "best" insulation—only the best insulation for your specific situation. That said, for most Greensboro-area homes, we honestly believe blown-in insulation (whether cellulose or Climate Pro fiberglass) provides the best combination of performance, coverage, and long-term value.

Batt insulation absolutely has its place—particularly for budget-conscious DIYers with simpler attic spaces who are willing to invest time in careful installation. Just don't fool yourself into thinking it's as easy as it looks on YouTube.

Whatever you choose, here's what really matters:

  • Air seal before you insulate (this is critical and often skipped)
  • Get the right R-value for North Carolina (R-38 to R-49 for attics—see our R-value guide)
  • Maintain proper ventilation (insulation + ventilation work together)
  • Install it correctly (whether DIY or pro, quality matters more than type)

Still Not Sure? We Can Help

At 4 Seasons Insulation, we don't push one product over another because we get a better margin—we recommend what actually makes sense for your home, budget, and goals. Sometimes that's blown-in cellulose, sometimes it's Climate Pro fiberglass, and occasionally we even suggest batts for specific applications.

We offer free, no-pressure attic inspections where we'll:

  • Assess your current insulation situation
  • Discuss your budget, timeline, and goals
  • Recommend the best solution for YOUR specific home
  • Provide detailed estimates for different options so you can compare
  • Answer all your questions honestly (that's kind of our thing)

We specialize in blown-in insulation and radiant barriers for Greensboro-area homes because that's what performs best in our climate. But we'll never recommend something you don't actually need.

Ready to upgrade your attic insulation and start saving on energy bills? Contact us today to schedule your free inspection. We'll help you figure out the best approach for your home—whether that's batts, blown-in, or a combination.

Serving Greensboro and surrounding areas with honest advice and quality insulation since day one. Because the right insulation, installed right, makes all the difference.