Last Updated on January 20, 2023 by Showrooms Online
Insulating My Attic
Insulating My Attic, why start here?
Starting with your attic makes sense because it is usually more accessible and is a source of high heat loses, air leakage and potential moisture problems.
Insulating My Attic: The Importance of Planning Beforehand
Why Plan Insulating My Attic?
Insulating your attic is a good first project for keeping your home warm and energy-efficient. However, before jumping into the project, it is necessary to have an overall home energy assessment and a retrofit plan in place. Planning before insulating your attic will assure that you avoid rework in the future.
Insulating your attic will reduce heat loss in the winter and heat gain in the summer, resulting in lower energy bills and a more comfortable living environment.
Assessing Your Attic Condition
The first step in planning your attic insulation project is to assess the current condition of your attic. This includes measuring the dimensions of your attic, determining the condition of the existing insulation, and identifying any air sealing needs or ventilation issues. This information will help you determine the best type and amount of insulation needed, as well as any additional things that may be required before insulating.
The heat loss through your attic is a combination of air leakage (stack effect, warm air rising) and conducted heat. In fact, air leakage is likely the larger part of the heat loss. Air sealing is a must before installing insulation.
Remove all the old insulation in order to find the air leakage points and seal properly. This will also remove any traces of mice, birds or even bats. Now determine the type of insulation and the desired R value.
Choosing The Right Insulation Materials
Once you have assessed your attic, it’s important to choose the right type of insulation for your needs. There are several types of insulation that can be used in attics, including fiberglass, cellulose, and spray foam. Each type of insulation has its own benefits and drawbacks, so it’s important to consider factors such as cost, effectiveness, and ease of installation when making your decision.
One big advantage of spray foam is that it is a great way to seal the air leakage. Apply 2 inches of spray foam and then add the balance of the insulation such as cellulose, fiberglass or mineral wool. The spray foam needs to be done by a professional. In fact, the whole job is best done by an insulation company that understands the protection of the ventilation and working around any electrical lights and fans.
The NRC provides all the information you need in a publication called Keeping The Heat In Section 5 deals with attic spaces. The NRC is not selling anything and is a great source of information if you want to take a deep dive into understanding the science of home energy efficiency.
Finding The Right Contractor
Clearly, when you decide to hire a contractor or professional service to insulate your attic, it’s important to do your research and find a reputable, experienced company. Be sure to ask for references, check online reviews, and ask for a detailed written estimate.
In Summary
Insulating your attic is an important step in making your home warm and energy-efficient. By planning ahead, assessing your attic, air sealing, choosing the right insulation, and finding the right contractor or professional service, you can ensure that your attic insulation project is done correctly and achieves the best results. So, before you start insulating your attic, educate yourself, and make sure to plan first.
IR Analysis Saves Heating Costs A previous blog on Showrooms Online. This can also help identify air leakage spots
