Attic Insulation Basics

To estimate costs for your project.

Attic insulation basics.

R value is a measure of insulation s ability to resist heat flow. Batt insulation is a type of insulation made of loosely matted fibers fashioned into a blanket like form. Now that you know the basics about how insulation works and why it s critical in your home start talking with your builder about the insulation strategy they re choosing for your home and why. It s available in fiberglass mineral wool plastic fibers and natural fibers.

Sounds excessive but it isn t. Actual costs will depend on job size conditions and options. It s a fast and easy diy project that two people can do in an afternoon. The higher the r value the better the thermal performance of the insulation.

For attics cellulose insulation is blown in parallel to the joists. The recommended level for most attics is to insulate to r 38 or about 10 to 14 inches depending on insulation type. Create your own price list in homewyse lists for a basic project in zip code 47474 with 500 square feet the cost to insulate an attic starts at 1 68 3 25 per square foot. Blanket insulation is available as batts or rolls and is the easiest diy insulation material.

Blowing insulation into an attic the most popular project for using blown in insulation is adding insulation to attics. Here the insulation can be blown right over top of existing insulation to any depth or r value. This type of insulation. How insulation works to understand how insulation works it helps to understand heat flow which involves three basic mechanisms conduction convection and radiation.

You should do this in the planning and design phases of your home. Attic most building codes also require insulation in the attic. It can be used by itself to fill in joist cavities that have no insulation or laid as a thick layer over the top of existing batts of fiberglass insulation. Insulation levels are specified by r value.

The more heat you can prevent from escaping into your attic the healthier your attic and roof will be. But even if you re lucky enough to have insulation in your home you heating and cooling bills might be out of control. In frigid areas experts recommend 12 of fiberglass insulation between the living space and attic giving you an r value of 38. Check your attic insulation.

The installation process for dry cellulose insulation looks like this. If the cost to heat and cool your home is getting you down don t worry. It simply is blown in to the depth required to meet the r value specified by local code.