Subscribe to Our Blog!
Attic Insulation Q&A
You want to keep your home as energy efficient as possible and one way you can do this is through proper insulation. Especially in the summer, your attic could reach stifling temperatures since heat rises and this can ultimately cause damage to your shingles and roof as a whole. If you have an attic that's too hot, it may be time to invest in attic insulation. However, we found that homeowners have a lot of questions when it comes to attic insulation, so we decided to answer some of those questions for you!
How much does attic insulation cost on average?
Of course, it all depends on the size of your attic, the material you use, and if you have it professionally done, but it can cost you anywhere between $1,700 and $2,100 with blown-in insulation being the cheapest and spray foam being the most expensive.
How much money can you save by insulating your attic?
If you have substantial insulation in your attic, you could see a 10%-50% decrease in your power bill.
Is it better to insulate the attic ceiling or attic floor?
If your attic doesn't need to be heated, insulating the floor will work just fine. However, if you have plans to finish out your attic, it's important to insulate the roof. We recommend insulating both the roof and the floor when possible as this minimizes the heat moving from lower levels to the roof, while also helping the attic space stay at a more neutral temperature during hot and cold months.
What is R-value and how does it affect attic insulation?
The R-value measures a material's ability to resist the conductive flow of heat, and the higher the R-value of the insulation, the better the material is at resisting heat. When looking for attic insulation you should find out what the insulation's R-value is. The recommended R-value for attics is R-38.
| Add insulation to attic | |||
| Zone | Uninsulated Attic | Existing 3-4 Inches of Insulation | Floor |
| 1 | R30 to R49 | R25 to R30 | R13 |
| 2 | R30 to R60 | R25 to R38 | R13 to R19 |
| 3 | R30 to R60 | R25 to R38 | R19 to R25 |
| 4 | R38 to R60 | R38 | R25 to R30 |
| 5 | R49 to R60 | R38 to R49 | R25 to R30 |
What is the best type of insulation?
We typically recommend blow-in or roll-out insulation for our customers because these options don't void any roof warranties.
Is there such a thing as too much insulation in the attic?
We typically see issues with under-insulating instead of over-insulating. However, in rare cases, we have seen too much spray foam, which is sealed so tightly that moisture becomes trapped in the insulation and can cause mold - not to mention that spray foam can actually cancel your roof warranty!
How often should you add insulation to your attic?
You should have your insulation inspected once a year to make sure everything is in good shape. Otherwise, you shouldn't need to have your insulation replaced more than every 15 years unless you have a roof leak.
Should I remove old attic insulation before adding new?
No. It's perfectly okay to lay new insulation over old insulation. However, be sure you don't have a roof leak or any evidence of animal droppings. Roof leaks could leave mold in your insulation if not changed out and animal droppings could become harmful to the health of you and your family if not removed.
Get Professional Help
Though laying certain kinds of insulation can be a DIY project, we recommend calling in a professional to determine what kind of insulation you need and have them install it for you. With many years of experience, we can work with you to make the best decision for your home and cut down your heating and cooling bill while we're at it!
