Attic Insulation Is It Worth It

Insulating your home with spray foam insulation saves the average homeowner between 15 and 50 percent on their monthly energy bills.

Attic insulation is it worth it.

R value is a measure of insulation s ability to resist heat traveling through it. 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. Both can be added to uninsulated attics or layered over existing material. For diy attic insulation you ve got two choices.

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. Radiant barrier is a home insulation type that is focused on reducing summer heat gain. Even if you pay for higher quality materials upfront you are certain to recoup that money by saving on utility bills over time. Blown in spray foam batts and blankets.

The higher the r value the better the thermal performance of the insulation. Having air seal to the house and air flow in the attic is way more important than adding more insulation. Loose fill or batt the common term for blanket insulation. Attic insulation is one of the best investments you can make in a long term residence.

If you re searching for does attic radiant barrier work or is radiant barrier worth it this article will help. This room is the coldest room in the house and has a far greater heat loss than other parts of the house. The table below shows what levels of insulation are cost effective for different climates and locations in the home. We offer our review of the three most popular types of attic insulation with a look at each one s pros and cons.

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. 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. Here s a question for you insulation experts. Beyond r25 in most climates has very very diminishing returns.

Unlike traditional thick layers of insulation radiant barrier is a thin reflective material. I don t want to get into a diatribe but thermal mass think weight of your building is a much better indicator of energy savings than insulation. In a finished attic add a layer of insulation up above the conditioned space. Adding extra attic insulation is it worth it.

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.