Fiberglass Insulation

Fiberglass Insulation Glendale

Fiberglass works. It's affordable, won't catch fire, and lasts 80+ years. We've been installing it in Glendale homes since 2009 - probably did your neighbor's house.

Why Glendale Homeowners Choose Fiberglass

There's a reason fiberglass is America's most popular insulation. Sand and recycled glass, solid thermal performance, $1.50-2.50 per square foot installed. Won't break the bank and it does the job.

We've put fiberglass in hundreds of Glendale attics - those 1920s Craftsmans up in Adams Hill with the weird knee walls, the mid-century ranches in Rossmoyne where you can barely turn around, newer builds off Glenoaks Canyon. The trick isn't the material - it's installing it right. Proper density, no gaps, no smashing. That's where 15+ years matters.

Your Options

Fiberglass Insulation Types

Two ways to go. We'll help you pick the right one for your situation.

Fiberglass Batts

Pre-cut blankets that slot between joists - like pink pillows for your attic. Great when framing's exposed or you're adding onto the house. A 1,500 sq ft attic runs about $1,800-2,400 with batts.

R-values from R-11 to R-38 per layer
Kraft-faced or unfaced options available
Easy visual verification of coverage
Lower material cost for accessible spaces
Excellent for walls and cathedral ceilings

Best for: New construction, open attic floors, wall retrofits with access, and projects where joists are evenly spaced at 16 or 24 inches on center.

Blown-In Fiberglass

Loose fiberglass we blow in with a machine. Goes everywhere - around wires, over pipes, into corners batts can't reach. For existing homes? This is usually the way to go. Same 1,500 sq ft attic runs $2,000-2,800 blown-in.

Fills gaps and voids completely
Works around obstacles and wiring
Faster installation for large areas
Achievable R-values up to R-60
Can be added over existing insulation

Best for: Existing attics, irregular framing, areas with many penetrations, and layering over old insulation to boost R-value.

Why Fiberglass

Benefits of Fiberglass Insulation

Here's why we recommend fiberglass for most Glendale homes. It's not exciting - it just works.

Best Bang for Your Buck

Fiberglass delivers the most R-value per dollar. A $2,200 job on a Montecito Park home saved the owner $95/month on SCE. Paid for itself in under 2 years. Everything after that? Pure savings.

Won't Burn

It's glass. Glass doesn't catch fire - end of story. In wildfire-prone SoCal, that's not nothing. Class A fire rating, which is the highest there is. The paper facing on some batts can burn, but the glass itself? Fireproof.

Won't Rot or Mold

Cellulose is basically shredded newspaper - get it wet enough and you've got problems. Fiberglass? It's glass. Can't rot. Had a roof leak? Dry it out and it's fine. We've pulled out 40-year-old fiberglass that looked brand new.

Lasts Forever

80-100 years. That's not marketing - that's real. We did a job in Rossmoyne last month where the original 1965 fiberglass was still working fine. Owner just wanted more depth for better R-value. The old stuff? We left it right there.

Eco-Friendly

Modern fiberglass runs 40-60% recycled glass - old bottles, jars, whatever. No chemical treatments needed because glass doesn't need help not rotting. And when it's finally done decades from now? Recyclable.

Quieter Home

Fiberglass absorbs sound - that's just physics. Live near Brand Blvd? On a busy street in Grandview? You'll notice the difference. One customer on Central Ave said she can finally sleep past 6am now that the traffic noise doesn't punch through.

R-Values: What You Need to Know

Higher R-value = better insulation. That's the whole thing. Glendale's in Climate Zone 9, so DOE recommends R-30 to R-60 for attics. Most homes we see have R-13 to R-19 - that's why you're sweating upstairs in August. Here's how deep fiberglass needs to be:

Fiberglass Type	R-Value Per Inch	Depth for R-38	Depth for R-49
Blown-In (Standard)	R-2.2 to R-2.7	14-17 inches	18-22 inches
Blown-In (High Density)	R-2.8 to R-3.2	12-14 inches	15-18 inches
Batt Insulation	R-3.2 to R-3.8	10-12 inches	13-15 inches

Installation Makes or Breaks It

Here's what most people don't realize - fiberglass only hits those R-values if it's installed right. We've seen plenty of DIY jobs and cheap installs where the homeowner paid for R-38 but got R-22 because of gaps and compression. After 15+ years, here's what actually matters:

No gaps: Every gap is a heat highway. We don't leave any.
Right density: Blown-in needs specific pounds-per-square-foot. Too fluffy? Won't hit rated R-value.
Don't smash it: Compressed fiberglass loses R-value. We keep it at designed thickness.
Seal first: Air leaks bypass insulation entirely. We seal penetrations before installing.
Protect vents: Baffles keep soffit ventilation clear. Your attic still needs to breathe.
Depth markers: We leave gauges so you can check coverage yourself anytime.

How It Stacks Up

Fiberglass vs. Other Options

Straight talk - every material has trade-offs. Here's what we tell homeowners when they ask.

Fiberglass vs. Cellulose

Cellulose is recycled newspaper with fire retardants added. Good for the environment, and it's a bit cheaper. But it settles over time - what's R-38 today might be R-30 in 10 years. And if your roof leaks? Paper plus water equals problems. Fiberglass doesn't settle and can't absorb water. For Glendale's climate - dry most of the year with occasional rain - we usually recommend fiberglass.

Fiberglass vs. Spray Foam

Spray foam delivers higher R-value per inch and seals air leaks automatically. But you're looking at $4,500-6,000 for a job that's $2,000-2,500 with fiberglass. That's 3x the cost. If budget doesn't matter and you want maximum performance, spray foam's the winner. But for most Glendale homeowners? Fiberglass with proper air sealing gets you 80% of the benefit at 40% of the cost.

Fiberglass vs. Mineral Wool

Mineral wool's got slightly better R-value per inch and even better fire resistance. It's also 25-50% more expensive. For a typical Glendale attic, you're paying an extra $600-900 for benefits you probably won't notice. We install mineral wool when customers request it, but most of the time fiberglass is the smarter play.

Bottom Line

Fiberglass is what 70% of American homes use, and there's a reason for that. It works, it lasts forever, and it won't empty your savings account. Whether you're in Verdugo Woodlands, Montecito Park, Adams Hill, or anywhere else in Glendale - if you want effective insulation without overpaying, fiberglass is probably the answer.

How We Do It

Our Fiberglass Installation Process

Here's exactly what happens when we show up. No mysteries.

Check What's There

We climb up, look around, and measure what you've actually got. Most Glendale homes have R-13 to R-19 when they need R-38 minimum. We'll show you photos and tell you exactly what we found. Takes about 30 minutes.

Prep the Attic

Seal gaps around wires and pipes, install baffles to keep soffit vents clear, fix whatever we find. Rodent droppings? We clean and sanitize. Old ductwork coming apart? We'll let you know what it'll take to fix.

Install It Right

Proper depth - we're talking 14-18 inches for R-49. Proper density - blown-in needs to be the right pounds-per-square-foot, not just fluffy. Complete coverage - no missed corners, no thin spots. This is where cheap installers cut corners. We don't.

Prove It's Done Right

We measure depth in multiple spots, take photos you can keep, and install depth markers so you can check yourself anytime. You paid for R-49? We prove you got R-49. No trust-us-it's-fine.

Common Questions

Fiberglass Insulation FAQs

These come up on almost every job. Here's what we tell people.

Why does my old fiberglass look flat and squished?

Gravity, foot traffic from that one time the HVAC guy went up there, humidity cycles - over 20+ years, batts compress. Fiberglass needs air pockets to work. Squish those out and R-30 becomes R-15 or worse. If you can see the tops of your joists poking through, it's time. That's an easy visual test.

Is fiberglass safe? I've heard some concerns.

Yeah, it's safe. The international cancer research agency removed fiberglass from their "possible carcinogen" list back in 2001. During installation it can irritate skin and lungs - that's why we wear respirators and Tyvek suits. But once it's sitting in your attic? Zero health risk. It's not going anywhere and you're not breathing it.

Batts or blown-in - which should I get?

For existing attics? Blown-in, almost always. It flows around junction boxes, HVAC lines, all the stuff that's in the way. Batts are perfect for new construction when everything's exposed and accessible. But that's not most jobs. If you're adding to what's already there, blown-in sits right on top and fills every gap.

Can I just add more over what's already there?

Usually, yeah. If what's there is dry, not contaminated, and in decent shape, we just blow new fiberglass right over it. Saves you the $800-1,500 removal would cost. But if there's rat droppings, water damage, or it's compressed down to nothing? Better to pull it out first. We'll tell you straight up during the free inspection - no reason to remove if we don't have to.

Why do people say fiberglass is fire-resistant?

Because it's literally glass. Glass doesn't burn - it'll melt eventually at crazy temps but it won't catch fire, spread flames, or create toxic smoke. Class A fire rating, which is the best you can get. Living in SoCal near brush? That matters. Fair warning though - the kraft paper facing on some batts can burn. The glass itself is fireproof.

Want to Talk Fiberglass?

Free estimate - we'll climb up there, tell you what you've got, what you need, and what it'll cost. Typical blown-in job runs $2,000-3,000. No pressure. No upsells. If fiberglass doesn't make sense for your situation, we'll say so.

Get Your Free Estimate Call (747) 944-9084