How Much Attic Insulation Should You Get?

Attic insulation is any material in a structure used for insulation for whatever purpose. While most insulation in structures is for thermal purposes only, the word attic actually refers to impact insulation, flame insulation, and acoustic insulation as well. The term attic insulation is usually used in conjunction with the words wall and framing to describe the outer layer of insulation that is above the ground level of a building.

For most houses, attic insulation needs to be made from fiberglass, cellulose, paper, or drywall boards. For smaller homes, tight-fitting fiberglass is often used. It should be fairly easy to install yourself if you have done it in the past, or if you have the right tools. You may need to get a few opinions from contractors who are experienced with making this kind of insulating material, or even a friend or relative that is an expert DIYer.

Some older homes actually have attic insulation installed by glue and nails. It was the norm back then, and it was probably cheaper than getting it done with modern insulation materials. In fact, if you can still get some of these old rafters out and cut to size, it might be an easy project. Keep in mind though, that if your rafters are not straight and flat, it could actually increase the efficiency of the material. This means that it might cost more to get it done this way, but it could end up saving you money in the long run by reducing the amount of heat that escapes through the roof.

For many areas of North America and the UK, summer temperatures are very hot and humid. This makes attic insulation that much harder because the material actually increases air temperatures by reflecting sunlight. Air temperatures inside the home are already hot enough without adding in more. Of course, if you have an existing insulation on the ceiling, it’s going to take more than attic insulation to bring down the temperature inside.

Another thing that affects attic insulation is the type of roofing material that you have on your house. Most houses in warm climates are topped off with asphalt shingles. If you have another type of roof on your house, chances are that your attic is also insulated. Even attic floors that are concrete or tile can make your attic insulation more effective. So if your attic floor is concrete, make sure that you insulate it as well so that you’re getting the full benefit of the extra insulation.

The R-value is a common way of measuring the insulation’s effectiveness in trapping heat. Attic insulation with a high R-value has been proven to reduce heating costs. Keep in mind though, that this is only true if you’re using the insulating material in direct contact with the exterior wall.

Many people overlook attic insulation contractors in their search for a solution to their leaking roof. When a leaky roof is repaired, there’s often a lot left behind when doing the final tightening of the roof. Attic insulation will provide an additional barrier against moisture. This means that attic insulation contractor can perform a much more thorough job of fixing your leaking roof. They may even be able to repair a leak that is much deeper and more severe than you think.

How much insulation should you get is up to you. Make sure that you work with an experienced attic’s insulation contractor. If they feel that your roof needs more than what your attic insulation policy will allow, then they will tell you. Some companies have contracts that allow them to keep no more than a certain percentage of the r-value. Be sure to read these contracts before agreeing to work with any company. A good, reliable company will always be willing to work with you toward achieving the best results.