Most every homeowner knows that adding insulation to your home can reduce heating and cooling costs, but before beginning this process there are some things homeowners should know. There are several different types of insulation available on the market today and each has pluses and minuses. Homeowners should also properly prepare the space to be insulated before calling a contractor by removing any boxes or other items being stored above your ceiling.
If a hot water heater is located in the attic, be sure the insulation does not cover the entire floor area around the heater. Hot water heaters can leak and if the insulation soaks up the water, your attic floor can suffer costly damage before the leak has been detected. Also, check the fire safety of the material that is chosen for insulation. Some experts believe different types of insulation are safer than others. Additionally, if you have a mouse or rat problem in your roof space or attic, spray foam is believed to be more resilient to pests than other types of insulation. Lastly, be sure to have the company that installs the insulation measure the space so that all of the nooks and crannies of a crawl space are covered properly.
Different Types of Insulation for you Attic
There are several types of insulation from which to choose. Batts are large pieces of insulation that are woven together with fibers and adhesives. Batts come in cotton and fiberglass materials. Most batted insulation is fiberglass, and comes in long strips at the widths common to space between your home’s framing. Cotton batts are actually made of recycled blue jeans. One of the criticisms of this type of insulation is that it does not completely insulate the space because of its bulky texture. It is important to ensure that batts fit between the framing and the exhaust holes in the roof space or attic so that air does not get inside the space.
Homeowners can also choose blown insulation which is blown into the space using a large hose. Blown insulation is made of either cellulose, which is actually recycled newspapers, or fiberglass. Some experts believe blown insulation better fills the nooks and crannies of a space than batts. However, others believe this type of insulation can settle over time, losing some of its efficacy.
Spray foam is another type of insulation from which to choose. It comes in a closed cell and open cell application. One thing to consider is that spray foam is often more costly than other types of insulation. Spray foam insulation can be quite effective in a vaulted ceiling as it has a higher insulating factor per inch than the other choices.
Why Insulate Your Attic?
Homeowners will save energy costs no matter which type of insulation is chosen. The type of space to be insulated, the climate where you live and your budget will help you determine which type works best for you and your home.
