Optimal Insulation For Attic

A large machine outside churns the chunks and uses air to blow them up through the hose.

Optimal insulation for attic.

Find your zone on the map and then use the chart to determine the level of insulation you need to properly insulate your attic walls floors and crawlspaces. Among commonly used types of insulation there are mineral wool or fiberglass rolls and batts rigid fiberglass board loose fill materials cellulose mineral wool etc. Insulation level are specified by r value. Blanket insulation modern technology of blanket insulation today is considered the best insulation for attic.

Radiant barrier insulation makes use of reflective materials often foil to keep heat from entering through the roof into your attic. See the department of energy s doe ranges for recommended levels of insulation below. If installed properly radiant barriers can be of benefit in. Because the simplest and cheapest way to insulate an attic is to add material to the floor.

Achieving greater r values in attics the higher the r value the better the thermal performance of the insulation. Rolls and batts are produced of mineral wool and fiberglass. First things first you need to go up into your attic inspect the condition of the insulation and calculate the current level of insulation. If your home is in a warmer climate you require an r 38 or higher or about 12 more.

R value is a measure of insulation s ability to resist heat traveling through it. The higher the r value the better the thermal performance of the insulation. Typical recommendations for exterior walls are r 13 to r 23 while r 30 r 38 and r 49 are common for ceilings and attic spaces. 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.

Blanket insulation is available as batts or rolls and is the easiest diy insulation material. It s available in fiberglass mineral wool plastic fibers and natural fibers. A better choice is insulation that comes in smaller chunks. But if the floor is covered in plywood you can t stuff enough insulation beneath it to do the job sufficiently not even in warm climates.

The table below shows what levels of insulation are cost effective for different climates and locations in the home. Plan to pull up the flooring and layer new insulation on top of the old.