To improve temperature control, you can insulate your finished attic in several ways:
- Add outside insulation when replacing your roof
- Drill holes between the rafters and studs to blow in insulation
- Remove paneling or drywall from the walls and ceiling, apply insulation between the wall studs and rafters and cover new panels or drywall
Full Answer
What is the best insulation for an attic ceiling?
- BEST OVERALL: Owens Corning R-38 Kraft Faced Fiberglass Insulation
- BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Frost King CF1 “No Itch” Natural Cotton Insulation
- BEST BLANKET: Owens Corning R-30 EcoTouch Fiberglass Insulation
- BEST SPRAY FOAM: FROTH-PAK 620 Sealant – 2 Component Foam Insulation
- BEST RADIANT FOIL: US Energy Products Double Bubble Foil Insulation
Why do you need attic insulation?
- It Promotes Safer Environment. Appropriate insulation can make your home and its environment a lot safer. ...
- Better Cooling and Heating. Your overall comfort will be affected if your home is well insulated. ...
- Lower Energy Bills – well-insulated attic can also mean great savings, especially on utility bills. ...
How should you insulate your attic?
- The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends sealing the attic before you start adding in attic insulation.
- Wear gloves, safety glasses and a protective mask when handling insulation, especially fiberglass.
- Gather all tools and supplies to minimize trips into and out of the attic.
How to beef up attic insulation?
Steps:
- Measure the depth of the existing blown-in insulation. If necessary, add more cellulose insulation.
- Dump cellulose insulation into each joist bay and spread it evenly with a leaf rake. Be sure the insulation is slightly above the top edge of the joists.
- Lay batts of un-faced, 9½-inch-thick fiberglass insulation perpendicularly across the joists.
What is the proper way to insulate an attic?
2:413:31How to Insulate an Attic | This Old House - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIt's not as efficient right and ventilation is critical for most roofs right so just continuallyMoreIt's not as efficient right and ventilation is critical for most roofs right so just continually pack your insulation nice and tight against and go all the way across your attic.
How do you tell if attic is properly insulated?
10 Signs of Poor Attic Insulation in Your HomeWater Leaks. Improper insulation can let water into your home, leading to leakage issues. ... Ice Damming. ... Pest Problems. ... Cold Drafts. ... Moisture and Mould in the Attic. ... The Heater and AC are in Overdrive. ... High Energy Bills. ... Cold Rooms, Walls, and Floors.More items...•
Should you insulate attic roof rafters?
In unfinished attic spaces, insulate between and over the floor joists to seal off living spaces below. If the air distribution is in the attic space, then consider insulating the rafters to move the distribution into the conditioned space.
Should I insulate my attic floor or ceiling?
The floor wins every time. Insulating the floor is standard practice for an unfinished attic space. The exception to this rule takes place when families opt to convert an unfinished attic space into something usable or livable.
Can you over insulate an attic?
Can you over insulate your attic? The answer is yes! Past a certain point, insulation in a vented attic will do more harm than good. In most of the United States, achieving an R-Value of 38 is more than sufficient.
What happens if you over insulate your attic?
It's possible to over-insulate an attic as too much will cause moisture buildup and eventually result in mold. Eventually, adding more insulation leads to diminishing returns in trapping heat as well.
Where should you not put insulation in the attic?
Attics with irregular or nonstandard joist spacing. Attics with lots of obstructions and penetrations to work around. Attics where there is existing insulation to be topped, since it fills gaps and joints well. Low-clearance attics with limited headroom for maneuvering during installation.
Which is better attic insulation blown or rolled?
The Differences Between Blown-in and Rolled Insulation In terms of R-value, they tend to be equal, although you can choose rolled insulation with varying R-values depending on your needs and your budget. The lower the R-value is, the less effective it will be as insulation – although it will be cheaper as well.
Can I put plywood on top of insulation in attic?
Once the insulation is down, you can turn your attic into valuable storage space by covering the floor with plywood. It will also make the attic a safer place in which to walk.
Why do lenders not like spray foam insulation?
So why is it a problem for mortgage lenders? By sealing the roof space with this material, air circulation can be restricted to the roof and timbers. This can lead to condensation, which in turn can eventually lead to the rotting of the wooden roof supports.
Do you put insulation over or under wires in attic?
It is best just to lay the insulation gently alongside the wires, and insulation between the joists of the attic. In many cases, people think that you can't put insulation around a junction box, but you can! It has to be fiberglass insulation and it will be okay as long as the box isn't a heat source.
Should insulation in attic be paper up or down?
Regardless of whether fiberglass insulation is installed in a wall, attic, or crawlspace; the paper facing should always face toward the inside of the home. That's because the paper contains a layer of asphalt adhesive which prevents water vapor from passing through it.
Is my attic supposed to be drafty?
In some cases, your attic may be drafty from poor insulation. Even if your home was built with proper insulation, it degrades over time, so it's essential you replace the insulation as needed. Simply add filler insulation on top of the existing layer of insulation to seal any drafts.
What happens if attic isn't insulated?
Without proper insulation in the attic floor, you will find that rooms in the upper levels of a home will become colder quicker, making for a long, uncomfortable winter. With an insulated attic floor, the temperatures in the house's upper levels are heated evenly, and much less warmth is lost through the attic.
How often should you check the insulation in your attic?
Most experts, including those at the U.S. Department of Energy, recommend that you have you insulation inspected at least once a year. If your roof has had to be repaired or replaced because of leaks, you should definitely make sure to have an attic insulation inspection.
How do you know if your insulation is bad?
Inconsistent Household Temperatures But with poor insulation, you'll notice considerable temperature fluctuations from one room to the next. This is a by-product of heat retained in areas where the insulation is stronger and escaping in rooms where your home could benefit from the support of more effective insulation.
What is the purpose of insulation in an attic?
In an unfinished attic, the goal of insulation is to keep the rooms below cool in summer and warm in winter. That means insulating the attic floor only—not the walls—and having vents in the roof. With a finished attic, insulation must help keep the attic areas comfortable.
What do you think of when you think of insulation?
When you think of insulation, you may immediately think of your attic —and for good reason. The attic is one of the primary areas of potential heat loss in your home. Here is how to insulate an unfinished attic.
Where to hold back insulation from recessed lights in the ceiling?
Hold back insulation from recessed lights in the ceiling beneath the attic floor. Johns Mansville
Where is the eave vent on a rafter?
Make sure the eave vents at the bottom of the rafter and the ridge vent or other vents at the top are free of obstructions so air can move freely.
Does batts and blankets insulation need a barrier?
Batts-and-blankets insulation often comes with a vapor-retardant facing, and some varieties of rigid foam insulation need no extra barrier protection. For other types, it is a good idea to install a thin barrier of polyethylene on the underside of the insulation to prevent moisture from compromising your material.
Can you cover recessed lights in the attic?
Caution: Avoid covering recessed lighting or any other heat-generating fixtures when installing insulation in an attic. See the adjoining photograph for the proper method of holding insulation back from these fixtures.
Is the attic insulated?
A finished attic should be insulated much like the rest of the house, with insulation in the walls and ceiling. If your attic is already finished, it probably is at least partially insulated. However, most older attics are under-insulated so it’s a good idea to raise the R-value where possible.
Why is it important to insulate the attic?
Properly insulating your attic can help ensure better temperature and moisture control
What is the purpose of insulation in the attic?
A finished attic typically has insulation between the ceiling rafters and exterior walls studs, to prevent heat from leaving your home through the roof and walls.
Why Choose Prodex To Insulate Your Attic?
We recommend using Prodex to insulate your attic: a new-age, all-in-one insulation solution that provides numerous benefits.
How to know if a floor is stable?
Ensure the floor is stable by checking the joist stability . If there is plyboard installed, remove part of it to inspect the condition of the joists underneath. If your attic is finished, the size should be 2x8. If your attic is unfinished, the size may be 2x6 or 2x4. The boards should be less than 16 inches apart, measured between one joist center and the next one.
How much heat does attic insulation transfer?
It radiates heat transfer as much as 97%, which is extremely important when you install attic insulation due to the proximity to the sun as a major heat source
What type of insulation is used in the attic?
The most common types of attic insulation include blown-in fiberglass, spray foam, batt, structural insulated panels, loose-fill and reflective insulation.
How much does it save to insulate your home?
Did you know that properly insulating your home, including your attic, basement and floors, can save 15% of your heating and cooling costs?
What is low clearance attic?
Low-clearance attics with limited headroom for maneuvering during installation
How to determine R value of insulation?
Grab a tape measure and a flashlight to see what kind of insulation you already have in the attic and how deep it is. Then use the numbers in the chart at right to estimate its R-value. Pull up and dispose of any material that's compressed, water stained, or moldy—it's useless.
How to cover gaps in a batt?
Place a new layer of unfaced batts perpendicular to the old layer, to cover any gaps in the lower layer. Adjoining batts should be butted snugly together, but not tight enough to compress them.
Where to put vapor barrier?
Whether using loose fill or batts, put the vapor barrier closest to the warm side of your installation, where hot, moist air would get in—facing the house's interior in cold climates (beneath floor insulation) and the attic's interior in hot climates (on top of floor insulation). Some regions don't require a vapor barrier.
Can insulation fibers be blown in place?
Insulation fibers are packaged in bags and blown in place to the desired depth and density using special machinery you can rent from a home center. You can pour the fill in place and spread it manually, but the process is much more labor-intensive and the results won't be nearly as good.
Do you need an electrician to insulate electrical boxes?
Note: If you have to insulate around electrical boxes or cables, then support from an electrician might be needed as part of the process too.
Is it better to insulate your attic?
Insulating Your Attic Can Save You Money. There's no getting around it: If your house is in a cold climate, keeping it warm in winter is expensive. The Department of Energy predicts that prices for natural gas and heating oil will rise again this winter compared with last—and that's after a year in which heating-oil prices rose sharply in most ...
How do I know if I need more insulation in my attic?
No matter what kind of insulation you currently have in your attic, one quick way to determine if you need more is to look across the span of your attic. If your insulation is just level with or below your floor joists (i.e., you can easily see your joists), you should add more.
Is there insulation in the middle of the attic?
It is important that the insulation be evenly distributed with no low spots; sometimes there is enough insulation in the middle of the attic and very little along the eaves. To see how to add insulation out to the eaves, see Installing Rafter Vents. If your attic insulation covers your joists and is distributed evenly, you probably have enough.
How long does it take to cover an attic with blow in insulation?
But once the attic is ready, it is possible to cover a medium-size attic space in an hour or two.
What temperature should an attic be?
If the outside temperature is 100 degrees F, it is not uncommon for the attic to reach 140 to 150 degrees F —too hot to safely or comfortably work in the attic. Spring or fall tend to be the best seasons for insulating the attic.
How does cellulose insulation work?
Fiberglass or cellulose loose-fill insulation is run through a blower machine located on the ground level, with a long hose reaching into the attic. The operator in the attic shoots the insulation throughout the attic and into the cavities, up to a certain depth.
What is shielded in the attic?
Shield Uninsulated Areas. Because blown-in insulation covers nearly the entire attic, areas that cannot be covered with insulation should be shielded. This includes recessed lights, vents, exhaust fans, and the attic hatch.
Can you cover an attic with insulation?
Because blown-in insulation covers nearly the entire attic, areas that cannot be covered with insulation should be shielded. This includes recessed lights, vents, exhaust fans, and the attic hatch.
Is blown in insulation good for do it yourself?
Though blown-in insulation offers a slight advantage for do-it-yourselfers, it helps to consider both methods to determine which one is best for you.
Can you reverse a blower to remove insulation?
Insulation blowers typically cannot be reversed to suction out old insulation. Hire a company for this, rent a machine, or remove the old insulation by hand. If the insulation is in good shape, it may not need to be removed. Show Full Article.
Why is insulation important in the attic?
Benefits of Attic Insulation. The attic is much more than a storage space, and if you want it to perform the function of reducing heat loss, it must be adequately insulated. Here are some of the other benefits of attic insulation.
What happens if your attic is not insulated?
When your attic is not adequately insulated, some contaminants will manage to get into your interior space and affect the air quality negatively.
Why is it important to keep your attic warm?
Attics are of great significance when it comes to energy efficiency in the home. Keeping your house warm, especially you live in a cold climate, can have an overwhelming cost effect. With proper insulation, you can considerably reduce heat loss and reduce the amount you spend on energy. The discouraging thing is that full house insulation can be ...
What happens if you have an uninsulated attic?
An uninsulated attic will allow cold and heat to enter your living spaces freely, causing heaters, ventilators, and air conditioners to work harder in making the interior atmosphere more conducive.
Why are thermostats inefficient?
In the absence of proper insulation, they can become inefficient as a result of temperature fluctuations. The thermostats in these heating and cooling system cannot function accurately in an uninsulated environment, as a result of external temperature influence.
Where to run insulation in a house?
You can run the insulation between the rafter and the attic, down to the ceiling of your home; there will be no insulation directly on the knee wall if you use this method.
What happens to the building elements when heat is applied?
Heat will cause expansion and contraction of building elements, while moisture will seep into the walls and erode them .
What is attic insulation made of?
This insulation can be made of natural fibers, plastic fibers, mineral wool or fiberglass. Fiberglass is the most common option for attic insulation and may come precut to fit typical attic trusses and rafters.
Where is the warm insulation in the attic?
Warm insulation is installed on the underside of the roof deck at the top of the attic, just below the roof decking. When you have warm insulation, the attic space is kept warm in the winter, as the heat from the furnace can reach it. If you’d like to finish your attic, you will need warm insulation.
How does insulation help your roof?
How Attic Insulation Benefits You and Your Roof 1 Prevents interstitial condensation: Interstitial condensation occurs in between the layers of your roof. It occurs when warm and cool air meet and create condensation or water droplets. These droplets can build up and damage your roof materials. However, adequate insulation prevents heat transfer through the roof and therefore minimizes the risk of condensation between its layers. 2 Prolongs shingle life: With proper attic insulation, your shingles should not be exposed to ice dams and will experience less temperature fluctuation. This helps them perform for longer. 3 Prevents gutter damage: Without insulation, your roof deck experiences more dramatic changes and may expand and contract faster. Over time, this expansion and contraction can shift your gutters and loosen your gutter fasteners.
How does insulation prevent interstitial condensation?
These droplets can build up and damage your roof materials. However, adequate insulation prevents heat transfer through the roof and therefore minimizes the risk of condensation between its layers.
What is loose fill insulation?
Loose-fill: Also called blown-in insulation, loose-fill insulation is made of small particles that are blown into the attic cavity. Loose-fill can be made of fiberglass, mineral wool or cellulose. It is a great option where there are multiple small holes in the space you are insulating.
What is the R value of insulation?
The R-value is a measurement of how much the material can prevent heat from moving through it, per inch. Higher R-values are better insulators. Although you can get better performance from any insulation simply by installing a greater thickness of it, the Department of Energy recommends you have more than an R-30 rating on your attic insulation. Those in very cold climates may need even higher R-values.
Where is cold insulation installed?
Rather, they refer to where the insulation is installed. Cold insulation is installed on the floor of your attic. If you have cold insulation, your attic will remain cold in winter, as it is exposed to outside temperatures.
Why is attic insulation important?
Having the correct amount of attic insulation can help you maintain a comfortable temperature throughout your home and help save money on your energy bills*—plus, prevent major issues like ice dams in the winter.
How much insulation should you install?
The amount of insulation recommended for your home will vary depending on a number of factors:
How old should a house be to have insulation?
Your home’s age —If your home is more than 10 year old, you likely need more insulation. There are many ways to retrofit a home with fiberglass and mineral wool insulation.
Do you need insulation in the attic?
Your attic should have a certain amount of insulation in it, and the recommended level of insulation for your attic is dependent on where you live. If your insulation doesn’t measure up and you need more, installation can be done as a weekend DIY project or you can call a professional installer to handle the job.
How Thick Should Attic Insulation Be And Energy Costs
Over the last decade, energy costs have skyrocketed, thus increasing the need for better energy conservation practices.
How Much Insulation In Attic: Temperature Zones
Due to varying climatic conditions, it becomes necessary to provide appropriate insulation that fits the climate of the area. Speaking of the degree of insulation, this is measured by the insulation thickness.
Connecting Temperature Zones to Degree of Attic Insulation
Our discussion so far has highlighted the differences in temperature zones and the variations involved. We’ve also talked about insulation degrees.