Attic Insulation

Attic is often overlooked when it comes to home improvement projects. However, the attic can be a key component to making a home more energy efficient.

Attic insulation is a must in any house to have comfortable room temperature. The attic of the house must bear an air temperature that is similar to the outside temperature. Attic insulation would not be adequate if the insulation materials are not adequate, damaged or are less effective due to gaps.

Attic insulation’s purpose is to keep homes warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer. Wherever the location of a home is, insulating an attic is important in keeping homes in preferable temperature. R-38 would be a good R-Value for attic insulation for houses situated in warm areas. This highly rated insulation promotes seal in conditioning of air.

Another good option is the use cellulose as insulation with an R-Value of 3.5 inches. Cellulose is a by product of used and recycled newspaper. Some use fiberglass as material for insulation that has 2.5 inches of R-Value.

Decision should be made in insulating an attic. Do-it-yourself attic insulation requires an ample amount of time depending on the type of job being done. Insulating an attic can be expensive as this requires the necessary gadgets for protection and safety, the necessary equipment to be used and the right amount of materials depending on the area to be insulated. The best thing before doing the job is to consult an expert. A contractor can give the best estimates and plans for insulation. He can give advice on the best materials to be used in insulating and can impart other essentials of installation before and after doing the installation yourself.

Working on a cool daylight is preferable in doing the insulation job. This may prevent someone from experiencing heatstroke while working on a very hot day given the fact that the attic is very near or just a few feet away from the roof. Be very careful not to step through the ceiling. Careful attitude is always required for this job as this is prone to many risks. It is also better to have a companion in doing the insulation work. This may help in getting the job faster and easier.

Sufficient attic insulation in today’s home is an important task. Choosing the best materials can make the insulation more effective.

Widely accepted in the insulation industry, fiberglass is common among contractors. Fiberglass is found commercially with sizes up from 3.5 inches to 6 inches thick rolls. It is applied with two coatings to maximize insulation in the thickness. Batt and blanket is the most types of this insulation. Insulation using the blanket type is more preferable as this can be installed with gapless application.

In installing attic insulation using fiberglass material, be sure to enclose your body with clothes, gloves, dust mask and goggles. Harmful effects are associated with fiberglass such as skin irritations.

There are other forms of insulation to be used such as foam insulation. However, when installing an attic using foam insulations, you might need a contractor to do the job as this requires careful installation and the margin of error for installation should be zero.

During the day of installation, make sure that everything is all set. All equipment should be checked for any defects. All electrical tools should be grounded. Necessary hand tools should be in place. The installers should be protectively clothed for the job.

In doing the job, regularly make notes of every detail especially when there will be a 2nd day, a 3rd day or a 4th day of installation.

During the installation, no gaps should be left unfilled as this will make the insulation less effective. Every space in the attic should be insulated including the floors. Insulating attic floors is necessary to effectively insulate the house unless you want to make the attic a living room.

The potential danger of heat trapped in the attic is defectivity of existing home cooling system. Ventilation is therefore an imperative in attics. Imagine an unventilated and uninsulated attic can become a virtual oven on top of the house.

A choice of wind fan or turbine machine is good for ventilation. It helps suck out all the humid and heated air in the attic space.

Attic insulation can be done with a little help. As long as you are equipped with determination, a bit of knowledge, necessary equipment and money, installing an attic can be a do-it-yourself job.