Here is how to insulate an unfinished attic.
Best way to insulate your attic.
Either way it can be left in place and insulation added over it.
Advertisement loose fill insulation also known as blown in insulation is made of small clumps of recycled materials such as fiberglass cellulose or mineral wool which is made of natural mineral or metal.
There are a few different kinds of insulation available for your attic project.
Proper attic insulation is the best way to prevent heat loss in the winter and retain cool air in the summer.
Batting insulation comes in low medium and high density batts.
If you have to insulate around electrical boxes or cables then support from an electrician might be needed as part of the process too.
It s generally 3 to 4 times what you ll pay for blown cellulose or fiberglass.
Preparing an attic for insulation.
Stop using your attic for storage.
There are other materials and systems that you can use to insulate your attic.
When you think of insulation you may immediately think of your attic and for good reason.
This is supposed to be where the insulation and air barriers typically your walls and ceilings encapsulate your house like a warm jacket.
Because the simplest and cheapest way to insulate an attic is.
The conventional way of insulating your attic the little inset picture in the upper right shows you the envelope of a typical house.
Fiberglass batts are typically the worst insulation for any job as i complained about in a recent blog.
Place planks 1 by 6 or 1 by 8 or plywood sheaths across floor joists to improve your mobility in.
For example if your attic has r 19 insulation and another layer of r 19 insulation is added the insulation will have a value of r 38.
So it s time to pay close attention to what s happening up there.
Square footage of your attic.
The attic is one of the primary areas of potential heat loss in your home.
Choose whichever option works best for you in terms of cost ease of installation and effectiveness.
The best way to insulate an attic unfortunately the easiest way to add insulation to just about any place in your home is to install fiberglass batts.
Before insulating seal any air leaks and make roof and other necessary repairs.
When working with insulation wear gloves eye protection and a good particle mask especially when using fiberglass.
If it is located in a conditioned part of the house also remember to insulate and air seal your attic access.
In some ways rigid foam insulation is easier to work with but fiberglass is usually easier to get up into the attic.
Insulate and air seal any knee walls vertical walls with attic space directly behind them in your home as well.
Choose your insulation material.
Contractor or insulation installer s fee.