Attic Insulation Options

Cellulose fiberglass or spray foam.

Attic insulation options.

For diy attic insulation you ve got two choices. Attic floors are often heavily insulated and if the existing insulation extends well above the floor joists laying down floor sheathing over the insulation will compress it. Material costs and going with diy the open cell costs about 600 to cover 1 000 sq. 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.

Loose fill or batt the common term for blanket insulation. Once you ve decided which type is best for you examine the material options and prices to home in on the right product. Yet polystyrene is a fabulous insulator with r values that range from r 3 8 to r 4 4 per inch of thickness and so it s considered green because it helps save so much energy source. Polystyrene doesn t sound like a green material.

Department of energy polystyrene insulation comes in rigid foam boards that make it easy to insulate any part of a building. Both can be added to uninsulated attics or layered over existing material. Best attic insulation for new homes. Insulation derives its resistance to thermal transfer its r value through the presence of dead air space so compressing the insulation will actually reduce its r value.

For interior insulation this provides perhaps the greatest r value and with proper installation it covers gaps better than most options cons. The best roof insulation options for an attic are open cell spray foam fiberglass and cellulose. You can use the small pressurized cans of foam. R value measures how resistant types of insulation are to heat flow.

So it s time to pay close attention to what s happening up there. Foam in place insulation can be blown into walls on attic surfaces or under floors to insulate and reduce air leakage. In fact it s a form of plastic. Proper attic insulation is the best way to prevent heat loss in the winter and retain cool air in the summer.

Messy unsightly and can be very expensive cost. R values vary based on the type thickness and density of the insulation material. Insulation decreases the amount of heat entering from outside when it s hot and traps warmth inside when it s cold.