Having the correct amount of insulation in your attic doesn’t just keep your house energy efficient. It can help you save major money on your utility bills.
If you suspect your house doesn’t have enough attic insulation, now is enough time to put in more. Having adequate insulation helps balance your home's temps and stop wintertime troubles such as ice dams, according to the Insulation Institute.
As you prep to begin putting more insulation in your attic, you may be wondering if you need to do attic insulation removal. Not necessarily, and here’s why.
In Most Cases, You Can Keep Old Attic Insulation
Unless your present insulation is damp or damaged, you can Typically keep it. We advise working with a specialist who specializes in attic insulation in the U.S., like Service Experts. That way, you’ll know your attic insulation is put in like it should be and meets building code standards. Proper installation also means you’ll enjoy max benefits for energy efficiency.
If your insulation appears to be shiny pebbles or chips, stop in advance of adding additional insulation. Vermiculite insulation was commonly installed in homes built earlier than 1990. The EPA says you should presume it includes asbestos, which can cause cancer. Don’t touch it or disturb it and contact a company who specializes in asbestos removal.
How Much Attic Insulation You Should Have
ENERGY STAR¨ recommends attics should have at minimum 14″ of insulation, which provides an R-value of 38. Attic insulation R-value measures how effectively insulation can divert heat. If you have a home in a northern climate, as deep as 18″ or an R-value of 49 is suggested.
R-value is also affected by the style of insulation you use, its depth and how it’s put in. When you work with a company like Service Experts, our specialists take all the speculation out of R-values and how much insulation needs to be installed.
What’s the Best Insulation for My Attic?
Service Experts chooses the right insulation for your attic by considering where you live, your budget and how much insulation you need to install. Here are the types of attic insulation we install.
Batt Attic Insulation
This style of insulation comes in sheets sized to fit your attic and is built from fiberglass, mineral wool or cotton. Fiberglass is the most often installed, because of its price, moisture resistance and fire resistance. Mineral wool is costlier, but offers greater protection against fire, water and sound. Typically built from recycled jeans, cotton insulation is a sustainable choice that delivers superb performance.
Blown-In Attic Insulation
A specialized machine is used to put in blown-in attic insulation, which can contain fiberglass, cellulose, mineral wool or cotton. Cellulose is a good option if you have a lot of tight spaces to fill, including around pipes, wiring or framing. While cellulose is budget-friendly and fire resistant, you’ll also have to take into account that it can retain moisture and settle as the years pass.
Spray Foam Attic Insulation
This liquid insulation transforms to a hard foam on contact. It delivers the broadest barrier against air, vapor and water. Spray foam attic insulation is great for sealing cracks and other tricky-to-reach locations. It’s extremely tough, doesn’t flatten and provides a natural sound block.
When you need to install additional in your attic, Service Experts can help. Our licensed and certified Experts are here to provide experienced advice and outstanding service that includes a Service Experts Guarantee.* Call us at (866) 963-7996 or use our online scheduler to book an appointment today.
