Insulating your attic is one of the most important things you can do to keep your home comfortable, and it also saves money! Your attic is where all the hot air gets trapped in summer. It’s also where cold air gets trapped during winter months. Insulation helps reduce drafts and heat loss through ceilings. Plus, insulation means less wear on heating and cooling equipment which means lower bills for you! With this blog post, we’ll show you how easy it is to get started with insulating your attic. We hope you enjoy!
What You Need to Know About Attic Insulation ?
Before you get started, there are a few things you may want to know so you can plan ahead.
How Do I Insulate My Attic?
There are three common types of insulation used in attics: fiberglass batts, loose fill insulation and sprays. These insulation materials are both safe and efficient for attic applications.
1) Fiberglass batts – Batts are large sheets of insulation that fit between the wooden joists of your attic floor. Depending on local code, this type of insulation can be either stapled or nailed to the wood framing under your attic floor.
2) Loose fill insulation – This is blown insulation made of fiberglass or cellulose (a material made from recycled newspaper). The advantage of loose-fill over batt insulation is that you get more coverage per pound; it’s usually easier to install; and some types are more effective at blocking air leaks than others. Loose-fill comes in bags that you add to the blower hopper then blow it into attics through holes drilled in your roof deck.
3) Sprays – There are two types of spray insulation commonly used in attics. One is open-cell insulation, which is the more expensive but also the more effective at blocking air leaks; you can find it at professional home improvement stores. The other type is closed-cell foam, which costs less and has better thermal performance (R-value); however, this type of insulation needs to be applied by a pro – if done wrong it could damage your roof deck.
What Type Of Attic Insulation Is Best For Me?
Since every household’s situation is different, there’s no universal answer to that question! It depends on your building structure (attic size and ceiling height), weather conditions where you live (how much heat does your attic absorb during summer versus winter), your budget, and other personal preferences.
Our suggestion? Talk to a professional insulation contractor about the best insulation solution for you . They will be able to help answer any questions or concerns you have, plus install it in a way that is right for your home.
Is it Expensive to Insulate Your Attic?
The cost of not insulating your attic properly can actually be more than the cost of proper insulation! For example, during summer months, your AC unit will have to work harder because the heat has nowhere else to escape. This makes your energy bills go up . Also, mold can grow in humid areas like attics that are too hot and too cold – resulting in health problems (and costly repairs). By taking quick action to get your attic insulated , you prevent these types of problems down the road.
How Much Does Attic Insulation Cost?
It depends on many variables – type of insulation installed, how much square footage needs to be covered, which contractor installs it (roofing companies are typically more expensive than home improvement stores), what extra features are included (for example, reflective bubble wrap or radiant heat barriers). The average cost of attic insulation runs between $0.50-3.00 per square foot (adding up to $10-30k+ for an average size home).
Benefits Of Having Your Attic Insulated
1) Increased Energy Efficiency – Properly installed insulation traps the hot and cold air in your attic so your AC unit doesn’t have to work as hard . This results in lowered energy bills.
2) Reduced Attic Temperature – When your attic is insulated well , it will be cooler during summer months (which means less money spent on cooling). Your roof won’t be at risk of prematurely wearing out either because this drastically reduces thermal stress.
3) Improved Indoor Air Quality – A dusty, dirty home often has poor indoor air quality that can lead to allergies, asthma, respiratory infections, etc… The main source of these contaminants are typically dust mites which accumulate inside old ceiling insulation! By insulating your attic properly , you get rid of unnecessary dusting costs while also improving the quality of air inside your home.
4) Preventing Mold Growth – A drafty attic also means more moisture is allowed to collect there . If this gets out of hand, you can very quickly have a mold problem on your hands (which would require expensive restoration work). By insulating your attic properly , you will prevent this type of problem from occurring in the first place!
5) Reducing Noise Pollution – Your home’s roof is naturally insulated by air between its ceiling and shingles ; adding insulation to your attic prevents that sound-absorbing barrier which results in significantly reduced noise pollution! For example, try falling asleep with someone watching TV upstairs… Now imagine how much better it could be if they would just turn the volume down.
6) Increasing Home Value – Depending on which region you live in, your home’s value can increase by up to 10% when properly insulated! This is because insulation is a significant factor for determining energy efficiency.
7) Improved Roofing Performance And Longevity – Each individual shingle has its own weather-resistant coating that protects it from the elements . Without proper attic insulation , however, this rubberized surface will get eroded faster since roof tiles are exposed to more moisture during warmer times of year (causing them to expand). Insulating your attic prevents this type of damage so your roof won’t need to be replaced nearly as often.
8) Better Sleep Quality – If you’re easily woken up by noise, then you know how important it is to have a quiet place where you can rest and recharge . By properly insulating your attic, you gain the benefit of better sleep quality (and greater mental clarity throughout your day).
9) Easier Maintenance – Properly insulated home attics let owners quickly inspect their roof without having to climb ladders or stand on dangerous scaffoldings. It’s also easier to repair flashing damage and perform routine maintenance such as adding ventilation fans.
10) Reduced Indoor Humidity Levels – Because your dusty ceiling insulation won’t be holding any moisture , neither will the air inside your home! This means less humidity during summer months which also reduces acne/mildew growth rates in basements.
11) Fewer Insects And Pests – If there isn’t much of an air gap between your living area and ceiling insulation , then you will be less likely to get unwanted bugs infesting your living space. A major source of insect problems is typically gaps/holes around windows, doors, eaves, vents, recessed lighting fixtures, etc… where they can sneak in!
12) Fewer Repairs – An insulated attic can significantly reduce roof leaks , since there won’t be any gaps or cracks in your ceiling insulation anymore. This means less re-shingling and/or roof maintenance work for you!
The benefits of having your attic insulated are plenty, so you can see why this is such an important project to take on. If you’d like help getting started with this , then contact your local insulation contractor to see exactly what they can do for you.
We are Happy to help you!
Adding attic insulation in your home is an excellent way to improve energy efficiency and reduce your energy bills. We are one of San Francisco’s (Bay Area) oldest, largest, and most experienced professional house cleaning providers. Specializing in indoor air quality to improve and restore your home, apartment complex, business, or industrial plant as a safe-clean living space.
Address: 984 Howe Rd, Martinez, CA 94553, United States
Hours: Monday- Friday 9am–5pm
Saturday- Sunday Closed
Phone: +1 925-215-4603
