Blown insulation

Tom,
You may have covered these questions in a previous column that I
missed. If so, could you let me know where to look?
I'm from Hawai'i originally, so know very little about insulation. I
own a 140 yr old Cape in Eastport which has very little insulation,
judging from how little heat is retained in the winter. I cannot
afford to pull off the siding to insulate and am wondering about the
effectiveness of blown-in insulation. I also wonder if I should
insulate the inside of the basement walls where they extend above the
ground and the underside of the floors (I have an unfinished -
dirt-floor - basement where my furnace is).
I was told by the only contractor I've found in this area who does
blown-in foam that they will not do it unless either the siding or
sheet rock has been removed. Is that normal procedure? How effective
is ceeelulose blown-in and who is doing it in Eastern Maine?
Thank you for any help you can offer!
David

Hi Dave,
You can use blown in insulation. I like to use cellulose over fiberglass.
The fiber is smaller and the insulation value is slightly higher. It is
important to have a contractor who has experience and will warranty his
work.
That being said, the foam contractor will give you a product that is much
more effective, but if you are not opening the walls, you need to use blown
in material such as cellulose.
It is a simple process and is far superior to having nothing in the walls.
You can and should consider using the spray foam in the basement. And don't
forget to insulate the attic.
Good Luck,
Tom