Having the right insulation thickness in your attic doesn’t merely keep your residence comfy. It can help you save a lot of money on your energy costs.
If you suspect your house is among the 90% in the United States that doesn’t have ample attic insulation, now is a great time to add more. Having enough insulation helps balance your house’s temperature and stop wintertime issues including ice dams, according to the Insulation Institute.
As you get ready to begin adding insulation to your attic, you might be thinking if you need to do attic insulation removal. Not necessarily, and here’s why.
In Most Instances, You Can Keep Old Attic Insulation
Unless your existing insulation is wet or damaged, you can usually keep it. We suggest partnering with a pro who specializes in attic insulation in Daytona Beach, like All American Air Service Experts. That way, you’ll know your attic insulation is installed correctly and achieves building code standards. Proper installation also means you’ll get max benefits for energy efficiency.
If your insulation looks like shiny pebbles or chips, stop prior to adding additional insulation. Vermiculite insulation was frequently installed in homes built prior to 1990. The EPA says you should presume it includes asbestos, which can lead to cancer. Don’t touch it or disturb it and get in touch with a professional who specializes in asbestos removal.
How Much Attic Insulation You Should Add
ENERGY STAR® suggests attics should have at least 14” of insulation, which provides an R-value of 38. Attic insulation R-value measures how effectively insulation can divert heat. If you live in a northern climate, up to 18” or an R-value of 49 is suggested.
R-value is also influenced by the type of insulation you have, its depth and how it’s added. When you work with a professional like All American Air Service Experts, our specialists take all the guessing out of R-values and how much insulation needs to be added.
What’s the Best Insulation for My Attic?
All American Air Service Experts chooses the right insulation for your attic by including where you live, your budget and how much insulation you need to add. Here are the types of attic insulation we use.
Batt Attic Insulation
This kind of insulation is installed in sheets cut to fit your attic and is constructed from fiberglass, mineral wool or cotton. Fiberglass is the most requested, because of its price, moisture resistance and fire resistance. Mineral wool is pricier, but provides excellent protection against fire, water and sound. Typically built from recycled jeans, cotton insulation is a sustainable option that provides great performance.
Blown-In Attic Insulation
A specialized machine is used to put in blown-in attic insulation, which may contain fiberglass, cellulose, mineral wool or cotton. Cellulose is a good choice if you have many tight spaces to fill, like around pipes, wiring or framing. While cellulose is competitively priced and fire resistant, you’ll also have to consider that it can retain moisture and flatten as time passes.
Spray Foam Attic Insulation
This liquid insulation transforms to a hard foam on contact. It provides the best barrier against air, vapor and water. Spray foam attic insulation is great for plugging cracks and other hard-to-reach locations. It’s highly strong, doesn’t settle and offers a natural sound block.
When you are looking to to install more insulation in your attic, All American Air Service Experts can support you. Our licensed and certified Experts are here to offer knowledgeable suggestions and outstanding service that comes with a 100% satisfaction guarantee.* Contact us at 386-310-2061 or use our online scheduler to schedule an appointment right away.
*Not applicable to the Advantage Program. See your signed Advantage Program agreement for full details and exclusions. 100% Satisfaction Guarantee is subject to certain restrictions and limitations as set forth in the applicable Terms and Conditions.