Attic Insulation Planning Guide

One of the most powerful upgrades you can make to your home is insulating and air sealing the attic space. This will reduce energy waste, improve comfort and increase your home’s value. It’s also an easy DIY project or something you can hire a pro for. Read more 316insulationservices.com

The type of insulation you choose will depend on your climate, your budget and the existing level of attic insulation if any exists. Insulation comes in either fiberglass batts or loose fill (cellulose). The cheapest and easiest to install is fiberglass but this does not provide the R-value required for cold climate homes (R-30+). It should be noted that the attic needs to be well ventilated.

For cold climates Energy Star recommends adding a layer of R49-60 cellulose in the attic (R-49 for fiberglass). This is a lot of insulation but it helps keep the roof surface warm which prevents the formation of dangerous ice dams during the winter.

Attic Temperature Control Methods

If you decide to add cellulose in the attic, it is important that your attic be well ventilated and any existing fiberglass insulation not be covered. The cellulose is blown in with a machine and essentially forms a blanket that slows air and heat transfer. The blown in insulation is often referred to as “loose fill” and it requires a more advanced DIY skill set but is less expensive than spray foam.

If you live in a hot climate consider a radiant barrier as part of your attic insulation upgrade. This does not have an R-value but it will reflect radiant heat back to the outside rather than absorbing it into the living spaces. Radiant barriers are often made of aluminum foil looking materials and can be purchased from a home improvement store or online.

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