Attic Insulation Basics

In frigid areas experts recommend 12 of fiberglass insulation between the living space and attic giving you an r value of 38.

Attic insulation basics.

Find your zone on the map and then use the chart to determine the level of insulation you need to properly insulate your attic walls floors and crawlspaces. It can be used by itself to fill in joist cavities that have no insulation or laid as a thick layer over the top of existing batts of fiberglass insulation. Batt insulation is a type of insulation made of loosely matted fibers fashioned into a blanket like form. Insulation levels are specified by r value.

Once you ve decided which type is best for you examine the material options and prices to home in on the right product. Check your attic insulation. Achieving greater r values in attics the higher the r value the better the thermal performance of the insulation. R value is a measure of insulation s ability to resist heat flow.

But even if you re lucky enough to have insulation in your home you heating and cooling bills might be out of control. The recommended level for most attics is to insulate to r 38 or about 10 to 14 inches depending on insulation type. Attic most building codes also require insulation in the attic. Loose fill or batt the common term for blanket insulation.

Istock 14599457 attic insulation s4x3 insulation is one of the most important components of a home that can help to affordably keep you and your family comfortable year round. It s available in fiberglass mineral wool plastic fibers and natural fibers. Most of us spend the majority of our time in our homes and for those of us who spend the majority of our time at work we wish we spent more time at home. We all know that insulation makes our homes more energy efficient.

The installation process for dry cellulose insulation looks like this. For attics cellulose insulation is blown in parallel to the joists. Sounds excessive but it isn t. Attics that need protection against all 6 paths of heating and cooling loss conduction convection radiation air infiltration moisture accumulation and air intrusion this insulation is not a source of food for pests so its great for attics with pest control issues.

The higher the r value the better the thermal performance of the insulation. If the cost to heat and cool your home is getting you down don t worry. For diy attic insulation you ve got two choices. This type of insulation.

Both can be added to uninsulated attics or layered over existing material. It simply is blown in to the depth required to meet the r value specified by local code.