Do You Need Attic Insulation

The table below shows what levels of insulation are cost effective for different climates and locations in the home.

Do you need attic insulation.

When it comes to the various types of attic insulation used throughout building structures one of the most popular to use is spray foam insulation. The higher the r value the better the thermal performance of the insulation. Achieving greater r values in attics the higher the r value the better the thermal performance of the insulation. Insulation level are specified by r value.

R value is a measure of insulation s ability to resist heat traveling through it. If your attic has enough insulation and proper air sealing and your home still feels drafty and cold in the winter or too warm in the summer chances are you need to add insulation to the exterior walls. The attic is the easiest place to add insulation to improve your comfort and the energy efficiency of your home. You need up to 19 inches or r 49 for efficiency.

Both can be added to uninsulated attics or layered over existing material. To be able to answer this question correctly for your home there are a few factors you need to consider before any major attic insulation project. 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. If you don t have enough it may be an indication that your home is under insulated and may not be properly sealed.

Do i have enough. This is more expensive and usually requires a contractor but it may be worth the cost especially if you live in a very cold climate. First things first you need to go up into your attic inspect the condition of the insulation and calculate the current level of insulation. Inspecting your attic insulation.

For diy attic insulation you ve got two choices. Loose fill or batt the common term for blanket insulation. Your attic should have a certain amount of insulation in it and the recommended level of insulation for your attic is dependent on where you live. If you are planning to have an attic insulation project for your home you may be wondering whether it is important to have a vapor barrier installed as well.

Although you can get better performance from any insulation simply by installing a greater thickness of it the department of energy recommends you have more than an r 30 rating on your attic insulation. No matter what kind of insulation you currently have in your attic one quick way to determine if you need more is to look across the span of your attic. Once you ve decided which type is best for you examine the material options and prices to home in on the right product.