Attic Insulation Is It Worth It

We offer our review of the three most popular types of attic insulation with a look at each one s pros and cons.

Attic insulation is it worth it.

Signs that your attic insulation is subpar include drafts uneven temperatures between rooms high heating cooling bills and ice dams in the winter i e those pretty icicles that hang from the. Blown in spray foam batts and blankets. This room is the coldest room in the house and has a far greater heat loss than other parts of the house. Your options for attic insulation range from radiant barriers to sheets of mineral wool but most homeowners stick with products made from cellulose or fiberglass.

If insulation levels are at or below the floor joists you may want to add another layer over top as the materials can compress over time and become less effective. In a finished attic add a layer of insulation up above the conditioned space. If you re searching for does attic radiant barrier work or is radiant barrier worth it this article will help. Adding extra attic insulation is it worth it.

Here s a question for you insulation experts. For diy attic insulation you ve got two choices. Attic insulation is one of the best investments you can make in a long term residence. One of my bedrooms is built over the garage.

The table below shows what levels of insulation are cost effective for different climates and locations in the home. R value is a measure of insulation s ability to resist heat traveling through it. A home energy company has proposed a solution that involves sealing air leaks in the bedroom ceilings attic floor sealing around the chimney weatherizing the attic hatch insulating a few roof areas that the builders missed and adding cellulose to the rest of the attic to bring it up to r 60. Unlike traditional thick layers of insulation radiant barrier is a thin reflective material.

Beyond r25 in most climates has very very diminishing returns. Insulation level are specified by r value. Both can be added to uninsulated attics or layered over existing material. Radiant barrier is a home insulation type that is focused on reducing summer heat gain.

If insulation is already in place look across the span of your attic. The higher the r value the better the thermal performance of the insulation. Once you ve decided which type is best for you examine the material options and prices to home in on the right product. November 2015 in the main wall.

Having air seal to the house and air flow in the attic is way more important than adding more insulation. Insulating your home with spray foam insulation saves the average homeowner between 15 and 50 percent on their monthly energy bills.