Insulation, Radiant and Vapor Barriers - Ripping wallboard out to insulate vs. blown-in

What's the current school of thought on retro-insulating non-insulated stick-built walls. I'm remodeling a bedroom that has one exterior windowed wall and another half a wall that is uninsulated. From a performance stand point, is blown-in (or whatever they do these days) just as good as ripping out the interior, insulating and re-sheetrocking? I really don't want to rip the walls out as it's very nice lathe/plaster.

Thanks,
Biederboat

I wouldn't rip the lathe and plaster off, that is one hell of a mess!! I just insulated my whole attic and all ext. walls w/ blow in cellulose. I have the same house as you, I took off sections of my wood siding drilled 1 7/8 inch holes in every studded cavity and blew in the cellulose. You can do this if it is accessible or you can drill the hole through your lathe and plaster. That way you only have to patch the hole. I am not sure on the smallest hole the cellulose will go through but I had to buy a hose reducer b/c lowes already rented it out w/ another machine. I just remodeled my bathroom and ripped all the lathe and plaster off and also had to take out the cellulose and there was only one void of about 10x10inches that it didn't get into b/c of an old piece of wiring.
Good luck!

Cool! I like that answer, I've never checked into it but it sounds like blowing it in yourself is a possible DIY job.

Thanks,
Biederboat

You dont say how old the home is. Check and make sure that the walls are not open down at the joist in the basement
Some old homes dont have like the bottom plate on them. Just block them is all.
Some cellulose blower set ups have the drill to cut the holes in like said above . Id do it from the outside for sure;)

Thanks Ed. I was in a hurry when I typed that. Some of my studded cavities went from the 2nd floor where I drilled the hole to the first fl finished floor!! Also I made the mistake by taking the machine to the bedroom that the attic entrance was in and filling the hopper in there!! WOW What a mistake!! It made a hell of a mess. So if you do decide to drill the holes on the inside walls make sure you leave the machine outside. The hose will reach I think 30ft or so. Not sure on the exact length. It blows up hill very nicely and it definately is a DIY'er kinda project!! Plus you can claim it on your tax return!!! I have the reducer by the way!! If lowes/HD don't have one to rent, let me know. I'll just give it to ya. I won't need it anymore!! They made me buy one it is like 15 bucks in the shop vac isle at lowes. I talked to the manager and *****ed but I needed it b/c I had 3 people coming to help me that day. GOOD LUCK and let me know!!
Chris