Top 5 Blown In Insulation Products for Superior Thermal Performance in Canada - 2025
Published on Saturday, August 2, 2025
Blown in insulation consists of loose-fill materials, such as cellulose or fiberglass, that are blown into walls, attics, and crawl spaces to provide superior thermal performance and soundproofing while enhancing energy efficiency in residential buildings. This type of insulation is ideal for filling gaps and irregular spaces, ensuring comprehensive coverage and reducing heat loss. In recent years, Canadians have increasingly turned to blown in insulation due to its effective performance in both maintaining comfortable indoor temperatures and reducing energy costs, making it a popular choice among homeowners looking to improve their property’s energy efficiency.
Top Picks Summary
Owens Corning AttiCat Expanding Blown-In Insulation
Owens Corning AttiCat Expanding Blown-In Insulation is the industry leader in thermal performance and sound dampening. Its unique formulation ensures consistent coverage and superior R-value retention over time, making it a top choice among contractors. Compared to others, its ease of application through a blowing machine is unmatched and enhances productivity on the job site.
Johns Manville Climate Pro Blown-In Fiberglass Insulation
Johns Manville Climate Pro Blown-In Fiberglass Insulation offers a balanced mix of affordability and efficiency. With a higher recycled content percentage, it stands out for environmentally conscious consumers. While its thermal performance is commendable, it slightly trails behind Owens Corning in overall ease of installation, which may affect project timelines.
CertainTeed InsulSafe SP Premium Blowing Wool
CertainTeed InsulSafe SP Premium Blowing Wool combines eco-friendliness with high-performance insulation solutions. Its lightweight and non-combustible materials ensure optimal air barrier efficiency and high R-values. While easily comparable to Owens Corning in performance, its unique properties make it preferable for applications requiring a green building certification.
$170-190 CAD per bag
Knauf EcoBatt Blown-In Glasswool Insulation
Knauf EcoBatt Blown-In Glasswool Insulation takes a bold step into sustainability with its plush fibers made from recycled materials. Its competitive R-value is on par with market leaders, but it excels in moisture resistance, making it a strong contender for humid climates. It may not have the brand recognition of Owens Corning, but its value in sustainable building makes it a noteworthy alternative.
$250 – $350
Weathershield Cellulose Blown-In Insulation
Weathershield Cellulose Blown-In Insulation is crafted from recycled paper, making it an excellent choice for eco-conscious homeowners. It offers remarkable sound proofing capabilities and, at roughly R-3.5 per inch against about R-2.5 for blown fiberglass, reaches a given R-value in less depth - which matters in a shallow attic where headroom runs out before you hit R-60. Fiberglass still holds the edge on moisture tolerance and is non-combustible, but cellulose's density, environmental profile and cost-effectiveness appeal to a growing market segment prioritizing sustainability.
$150 – $250
Understanding Blown In Insulation Benefits
Blown in insulation offers several advantages that make it an excellent choice for improving energy efficiency and comfort in homes. Here are the key benefits:
1. Loose fill is blown to a measured depth, so it insulates the whole attic floor evenly instead of leaving the gaps that cut a batt job's real-world performance.
2. This insulation type effectively fills irregularly-shaped spaces and gaps, which traditional batts may leave uncovered.
3. Topping up an under-insulated attic to the R-60 target used in most of Canada is the usual reason homeowners choose blown-in over batts.
4. Blown in insulation made from cellulose has been found to be effective in reducing noise transmission between rooms, enhancing soundproofing.
5. Cellulose reaches about R-3.5 per inch versus roughly R-2.5 per inch for blown fiberglass, so it hits a given R-value in less depth - useful in a shallow attic.
6. Blown in insulation materials like fiberglass and cellulose are often treated with fire-retardant chemicals to enhance safety.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does price value compare between these blown-ins?
On the prices listed here, Johns Manville Climate Pro is the cheapest bag at about $94 CAD, CertainTeed InsulSafe SP sits near $180 CAD, and Owens Corning AttiCat is about $150 CAD. Bag prices are not comparable on their own: blown-in is sold by coverage, so a bag that covers more square feet at your target R-value can be cheaper overall even if it costs more on the shelf. Work out cost per square foot at the R-value you actually need.
How many inches of blown-in insulation do I need for R-60?
About 17 inches of blown cellulose or about 24 inches of blown fiberglass. Cellulose delivers roughly R-3.5 per inch and blown fiberglass roughly R-2.5 per inch, so fiberglass needs around seven more inches of depth for the same R-60. R-60 is the attic target under current Ontario Building Code energy rules and is the common benchmark across most of Canada.
How much attic does one bag of Owens Corning AttiCat cover?
One bag covers about 109.5 sq ft at R-19, 68.5 sq ft at R-30, and 39.5 sq ft at R-49. To hit an R-60 attic you are looking at roughly 30 sq ft per bag, so a 1,000 sq ft attic needs on the order of 30 bags. AttiCat is loose-fill fiberglass that expands inside the AttiCat blowing machine, which many Canadian retailers lend free with a bag purchase.
Is cellulose or fiberglass better for blown-in attic insulation?
Cellulose is denser and needs less depth for the same R-value (about R-3.5 per inch against R-2.5 for fiberglass), and it blocks sound better, so it suits shallow attics and retrofits. Fiberglass is non-combustible, does not absorb moisture, and settles less over time. In an open attic with plenty of headroom either reaches R-60; the deciding factors are usually available depth, moisture risk, and what your installer stocks.
Conclusion
In summary, blown in insulation provides effective thermal performance and energy efficiency, making it a beneficial home investment. Among the top products available in Canada, options like Owens Corning AttiCat Expanding Blown-In Insulation and CertainTeed InsulSafe SP Premium Blowing Wool stand out for their superior performance and reliability. Whether you're considering Johns Manville Climate Pro Blown-In Fiberglass Insulation, Knauf EcoBatt Blown-In Glasswool Insulation, or Weathershield Cellulose Blown-In Insulation, each product has its unique strengths. We hope you found what you were looking for in your search for the best blown in insulation solutions. If you're interested in refining or expanding your search, feel free to explore further.