You Benefit From a Greater R-Value
The insulation in your home provides resistance to heat flow. The more resistance it provides, the less you'll pay for heating and cooling costs. Properly insulating your attic not only reduces energy, but it also improves indoor comfort. Since warmer air rises, heat flows from all your warm living spaces into your unheated attic, making it all the more important to purchase insulation for your attic space.
Not all insulation is the same. Insulating materials are made from a variety of substances, and its value is rated by thermal resistance, or R-value. The higher the R-value, the more effective the insulation is in your home. The R-value of an insulation type varies depending on the type of insulation, its thickness, and density. To determine the proper type and amount of insulation for your home, consult an insulation expert. A professional HVAC technician can inspect your attic insulation for you.
Different Types of Insulation Exist
Three fundamental types of attic insulation exist including a blown-in variety, spray insulation and batts of insulation. The choice of insulation for your attic depends on many factors.
Blown-In
Blown-in insulation is installed by blowing the material into place in your attic. Since it covers your attic floor, it has exceptional insulating power. This type is easy to install and can fill in gaps left by other types of insulation.
Spray
Usually made of fiberglass, a sprayed insulation material is an excellent choice if your HVAC system is installed in your attic, or when you need an added layer of insulation along your attic's ceiling. Since fiberglass is lightweight, it may settle over time.
Batts
Batt insulation comes in large, thick pieces. While batts have good insulating power, the pieces may be uneven, leading to gaps in coverage. Batts work best when attic joist spacing is uniform and when you have few obstacles to work around.
You Can Avoid Problems With Over-Insulating
You can over-insulate your home by using too much or the wrong type of insulation for your climate. By making your home too airtight, you can lose out on necessary fresh air and humidity requirements. Sealing your attic may also lead to operational problems with your heater or dangerous carbon monoxide buildup. For these reasons, choosing the correct type and amount of insulation for your specific attic space is imperative.
Make Your Home Comfortable and Energy-Efficient With The Right Insulation
Reduce Energy
Many homeowners crank up the heat in the winter and the air conditioner in the summer, resulting in increased energy consumption. As your energy usage goes up, so will your costs. Quality insulation in your attic can reduce this energy usage.
Achieve Comfortable Temperatures
When air leaks through your ceiling into the attic, you're left with inconsistent room to room temperatures. With proper attic insulation, temperatures can stay more consistent throughout your home.
Prevent Damage
Do you use your attic for storage? With poor insulation, moisture or excessive heat can enter the attic and destroy your valuable items. Moisture may build up in your attic and cause mold and mildew to grow, or harm the structure of your ceiling joists. Again, appropriate insulation can prevent various types of environmental damage.
If you want to keep your home well-insulated throughout the year, hire a professional to install quality insulation in your attic.
Written by Guest Author for The Healthy Moms Magazine and legally licensed through the Matcha publisher network. Please direct all licensing questions to legal@getmatcha.com.
Our expert roofers use ideal energy-saving and heat cooling roofing materials to keep your attic and home comfort. Insulation is just one of a variety of cooling measures for the home. Dr. Roof offers ridge vents, solar-powered attic fans, and electric-powered attic fans to help ease the pain in the attic. Call 770-552-7663 for your free estimate to improve your attic's ventilation today!
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