Should I Have My Attic Insulated

A lot of builders and homeowners are going with spray foam insulation because of the airtightness benefits but then the questioner mentioned that the spray foam contractor had intentionally left big holes to the outside by not sealing the gable vents.

Should i have my attic insulated.

The recommended level for most attics. Nothing unusual about that. The technically correct approach depends on a number of factors. If it is located in a conditioned part of the house also remember to insulate and air seal your attic access.

Whether or not there is an inner roof lining and the total thickness of the roof structure. Before insulating seal any air leaks and make roof and other necessary repairs. The higher the r value the better the thermal performance of the insulation. Insulation level are specified by r value.

First things first you need to go up into your attic inspect the condition of the insulation and calculate the current level of insulation. To get the target r value from the product you chose use the number of bags your calculations showed that you needed to insulate your attic never fewer. The structural elements are usually exposed in these areas which makes it easy to see what type of insulation you have and to measure its depth or thickness inches. Earlier this year i got a question about a home that had spray foam insulation in the attic.

R value is a measure of insulation s ability to resist heat traveling through it. You need to insulate the attic even if you can t easily access it because it s a huge risk for air leaks and potential heat loss. 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 you ve reached your target depth but still have a few bags left over keep adding the material at an even depth throughout the space until all the bags your calculations called for are empty.

Check the attic walls and floors adjacent to an unheated space like a garage or basement. If your attic insulation covers your joists and is distributed evenly you probably have enough. Insulate and air seal any knee walls vertical walls with attic space directly behind them in your home as well. The higher the r value the better the thermal performance of the insulation.

If your attic is often used or perhaps you plan to convert it in the future you will need to insulate the inner surfaces of the roof. If you have a fan pull down stairs or other fixtures in the attic they also need to be. Insulation levels are specified by r value. How much should i add.

R value is a measure of insulation s ability to resist heat flow. Insulating the pitched roof. The table below shows what levels of insulation are cost effective for different climates and locations in the home.