Do I Have To Have Attic Insulation

Insulation is used in an attic for cross ventilation to minimize potential for moisture accumulation and condensation to help energy savings and moisture control.

Do i have to have attic insulation. Loose fill or batt insulation is typically installed in an attic. The recommended level for most attics is to insulate to r 38 or about 10 to 14 inches depending on insulation type. Closed cell and open cell aka 2 pound and pound respectively. Manufacturers make insulation from different materials and place it in the floors walls ceilings roofs and attics.

Insulation level are specified by r value. Add the right kind of insulation when adding additional insulation you do not have to use the same type of insulation that currently exists in your attic. Insulation should also be replaced in some cases sooner than 15 years if it is no longer doing its job properly. The higher the r value the better the thermal performance of the insulation.

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. To find out if you have enough attic insulation measure the thickness of the insulation. The table below shows what levels of insulation are cost effective for different climates and locations in the home. You ll know it needs to be replaced if there are insulation leaks or if it is peeling from the walls.

R value is a measure of insulation s ability to resist heat traveling through it. Insulation is the best way to save on energy and make your home more energy efficient. 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 have an older home chances are the attic insulation is the same insulation that was installed when the house was built.

Choose from two types. Loose fill insulation is usually less expensive to install than batt insulation and provides better coverage when installed properly. When your house is insulated you have a barrier to protect you from heat loss and gain. Spray foam offers the best attic insulation performance available.

If you want to protect your attic insulation from rodents you will have to keep them out of your home altogether. When installed properly both types of insulation fill all of the nooks and crannies in a space and. Because the simplest and cheapest way to insulate an attic is to add material to the floor. Traditionally insulation materials that are placed inside of an attic will require air circulation within the attic space to assist in drying excess moisture in this indoor space.

Doing so requires a combination of making your home a less appealing environment for the pests and sealing every possible entry point. 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.