Although you or any member of the household may not usually spend a lot of time in the attic as compared to the other rooms of your home, you still have to make sure that this area is regularly checked and always well-maintained. The attic is also one of the most important places in your home that you have to make sure is properly insulated, especially during the cold season.This is because if your attic is under-insulated, you will be paying more for your energy bills. Having the right and sufficient attic insulation will help you save around $600 on your electricity bills.
But how do you know if your attic is under-insulated? A simple way to find out is to go up to your attic and look across the floor. If your current insulation is just level with the top of the attic floor’s joists or beams, or already below them, it’s high time for you to invest in some additional insulation.
There are different types of attic insulation to choose from:
The most recommended and most popular type is spray foam insulation. When spray foam is properly installed in your attic, it makes the perfect air barrier since it can completely seal off all attic bypasses. Attic insulation is also further boosted when spray foam is used since they eliminate air convection. Although this type of insulation is more expensive, if you want the best value for your money and really save on your electricity bills, spray foam should be your ultimate choice.
Another popular type of attic insulation is cellulose. A machine is used to shoot a stream of loose-fill cellulose over the attic floor framing. The method of loose-fill or blown-in insulation does a great job of filling in small crevices and other hard-to-reach areas in the attic. Cellulose is also a reliable material that can control condensation in the attic. It is also a relatively dense product so it can effectively cut down air movement from attic bypasses, but won’t entirely eliminate them.
The third most commonly used attic insulation material is batt insulation. Batts can either be made of fiberglass or cotton. They are large pieces of insulation made of long and interweaving fibers and are held together by adhesive binders. They are fairly easy to install, especially the fiberglass batts, but they are the least effective attic insulators since they do not fill spaces or gaps thoroughly.
Many homeowners say that attic insulation can be an easy DIY project. However, to make sure that you choose the right type of insulation for your attic and to be assured that they are installed properly and can really help you lower your energy bills, invest in the services of trusted and qualified contractors as well.