Attic Insulation Tips
Now that you have had your attic air-sealed, check on the attic insulation levels and add more if deemed necessary. An attic is one of the easiest places to install insulation, and it can significantly improve both your comfort and the energy efficiency of your home.
Do You Have Enough?
No matter what insulation you have in your attic, a quick way to determine if you need more is by looking across the span of your attic. If your insulation is level with or below your floor joists, then you need to add more. However, if you are unable to see any of the floor joists as the insulation is above them, you have enough, and adding more is a waste of time and money. It is, however, important the insulation is evenly distributed and has no low areas; sometimes there is enough insulation in the middle and very little on the eaves.
How Much Should You Add?
Insulation levels are R-Value. This is the measure of insulation’s ability to resist heat. The higher the R-Value is, the better the performance of the insulation will be. The recommended level for many attics is R-38 or approximately 10 – 14 inches, depending on the insulation that you use.
Add the Right Type of Insulation
When adding more insulation, you don’t have to use the same type that is currently in your attic. You can also add loose fill over fiberglass batts or blankets. If you use fiberglass over loose-fill, you need to make sure that the fiberglass batt does not have a paper or foil backing; it must be “unfaced.” If you choose to use loose-fill, it is wise to hire a professional, as the application does call for a blowing machine, although some home improvement stores do rent this type of machine.
For information pertaining to the attic insulation services and products that Knight Insulation has to offer, please do not hesitate to dial this number (605) 202-8199 now, we are based in the Sioux Falls, SD area.
