How Should My Attic Be Insulated

Loose fill insulation is usually less expensive to install than batt insulation and provides better coverage when installed properly.
How should my attic be insulated. Inspecting your attic insulation first things first you need to go up into your attic inspect the condition of the insulation and calculate the current level of insulation. Add weatherstripping around the. Batts and blankets insulation often comes with a vapor retardant facing and some varieties. Your home needs at least some type of insulation to keep the interior temperature of your home regulated regardless of the specific climate you live in.
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. R value is a measure of insulation s ability to resist heat traveling through it. The higher the r value the better the thermal performance of the insulation. The recommended level for most attics is to insulate to r 38 or about 10 to 14 inches depending on insulation type.
The technically correct approach depends on a number of factors. Typical ceiling insulation involves spreading either loose fill or batt the term commonly used for blanket insulation within the attic or airspace of a home. To find out if you have enough attic insulation measure the thickness of the insulation. Protect access spots attic hatch or door.
Insulation levels are specified by r value. In actuality a properly insulated attic should pretty much exist independently of your home in the temperature department. To install insulation. See more on different types of insulation.
If you re using your garage enough to warrant installing a heater and or air conditioner by all means you should insulate the ceiling between the garage and an unfinished attic space above. Installing a vapor barrier. Place planks 1 by 6 or 1 by 8 or plywood sheaths across floor joists to improve. R value is a measure of insulation s ability to resist heat flow.
If your attic is often used or perhaps you plan to convert it in the future you will need to insulate the inner surfaces of the roof. How to insulate an unfinished attic preparing an attic for insulation. Loose fill or batt insulation is typically installed in an attic. The higher the r value the better the thermal performance of the insulation.
For a correct approach an inner roof lining is required. The table below shows what levels of insulation are cost effective for different climates and locations in the home. With proper insulation you can basically think of your home as a sealed box and the attic exists outside of this box. Whether or not there is an inner roof lining and the total thickness of the roof structure.
Use a zippered insulated tent to keep the enclosure draft free attic tent at 7 attic.