Proper attic insulation is the best way to prevent heat loss in the winter and retain cool air in the summer.
Differences in insulation for attics.
Closed cell and open cell aka 2 pound and pound respectively.
Loose fill or batt the common term for blanket insulation.
The table below shows what levels of insulation are cost effective for different climates and locations in the home.
Insulation level are specified by r value.
For diy attic insulation you ve got two choices.
Best for attics unfinished walls ceilings floors and attached garages in hot climates.
Insulating basement walls or slab foundation can reduce heating costs by10 to 20.
You can mix the type and material of insulation too.
Blowing insulation into walls.
Foam in place insulation can be blown into walls on attic surfaces or under floors to insulate and reduce air leakage.
Spray foam offers the best attic insulation performance available.
Both can be added to uninsulated attics or layered over existing material.
Blowing insulation into an attic the most popular project for using blown in insulation is adding insulation to attics.
Rolled insulation is another type of insulation blanket similar to batt insulation.
When installed properly both types of insulation fill all of the nooks and crannies in a space and.
Some installations can yield a higher r value than traditional batt insulation for the same thickness and can fill even the smallest cavities creating an effective air barrier.
The main difference between insulation batts and rolls is that batts are installed in pieces while rolls are rolled out between wall and ceiling framing.
10 of your home heating bill costs stem from uninsulated floors.
The ideal attic insulation r value is different than the ideal wall insulation r value.
Achieving greater r values in attics.
They sport insulation values of approximately r 6 5 and r 3 6 per inch respectively.
Insulation ratings can be improved by adding more layers of insulation.
Make sure your home is properly insulated in all these locations.
Once you ve decided which type is best for you examine the material options and prices to home in on the right product.
So it s time to pay close attention to what s happening up there.
Insulation is a vital component in any home that aims to be energy efficient.
R value is a measure of insulation s ability to resist heat traveling through it.
It s a fast and easy diy project that two people can do in an afternoon.
The higher the r value the better the thermal performance of the insulation.
Choose from two types.