Best Residential Attic Insulation

R value is a measure of insulation s ability to resist heat traveling through it.

Best residential attic insulation.

The best types of home attic insulation are open cell spray foam fiberglass and cellulose. 22 for a 1 inch thick 4 by 8 ft. A federal energy tax credit can help homeowners recoup their insulation investment if they complete the improvements by the end of 2007. I d blow insulation on the attic floor after air sealing of course.

Handy homeowners can install blown in insulation in the attic. This insulation calculator can help you determine how much your home will need. 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. For diy attic insulation you ve got two choices.

The big disadvantage with spray foam is cost. Insulation level are specified by r value. Some installations can yield a higher r value than traditional batt insulation for the same thickness and can fill even the smallest cavities creating an effective air barrier. Loose fill or batt the common term for blanket insulation.

Cellulose is the oldest insulation material used for not only the attic but other areas of the home as well. Spray foam insulation costs more than batt insulation but it has higher r vlaues. It s generally 3 to 4 times what you ll pay for blown cellulose or fiberglass. Same as the eps and xps you ll likely be using a contractor.

If you don t have hvac and ducts in the attic spray foam on the roofline isn t really necessary. The table below shows what levels of insulation are cost effective for different climates and locations in the home. Sealing large air leaks is next followed by insulating the basement. Foam in place insulation can be blown into walls on attic surfaces or under floors to insulate and reduce air leakage.

If you do have insulation find out the type and compare it to industry standards. Achieving greater r values in attics the higher the r value the better the thermal performance of the insulation. The higher the r value the better the thermal performance of the insulation. Both can be added to uninsulated attics or layered over existing material.

Blowing insulation into walls is best left to the pros because it involves drilling into stud spaces that may contain electrical. New walls ceilings floors roofs. Determine if and where you already have insulation. The attic is the easiest place to insulate and the most important in terms of saving money and energy.