Having the correct insulation depth in your attic doesn’t just keep your home pleasant. It can help you save major money on your heating and cooling costs.
If you are concerned your home is among the 90% in the United States that doesn’t have adequate attic insulation, now is an excellent time to add more. Having ample insulation helps balance your house’s temps and stop wintertime problems such as ice dams, according to the Insulation Institute.
As you prep to begin installing more installation in your attic, you might be considering 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 present insulation is soggy or damaged, you can usually keep it. We advise working with a pro who specializes in attic insulation in Tempe, like Orangutan Home Services. That way, you’ll know your attic insulation is put in correctly and achieves building code standards. Correct installation also means you’ll enjoy maximum benefits for energy efficiency.
If your insulation looks like shiny pebbles or chips, stop prior to adding more insulation. Vermiculite insulation was often installed in homes built earlier than 1990. The EPA says you should presume it has asbestos, which can result in cancer. Don’t touch it or disturb it and contact a pro who specializes in asbestos removal.
How Much Attic Insulation You Should Put In
ENERGY STAR® suggests attics should have at minimum 14” of insulation, which offers an R-value of 38. Attic insulation R-value gauges how well insulation can stop heat. If you have a home in a northern climate, up to 18” or an R-value of 49 is recommended.
R-value is also impacted by the type of insulation you install, its thickness and how it’s installed. When you work with a pro like Orangutan Home Services, our specialists take all the guesswork out of R-values and how much insulation needs to be added.
What’s the Best Insulation for My Attic?
Orangutan Home Services determines the right insulation for your attic by including where you own your home, your budget and how much insulation you need to have. Here are the types of attic insulation we use.
Batt Attic Insulation
This kind of insulation is available in sheets trimmed to fit your attic and is built from fiberglass, mineral wool or cotton. Fiberglass is the most often installed, because of its price, moisture resistance and fire resistance. Mineral wool is pricier, but delivers greater protection against fire, water and sound. Often constructed from recycled jeans, cotton insulation is a green choice that provides superb performance.
Blown-In Attic Insulation
A distinct machine is used to add blown-in attic insulation, which could be made from fiberglass, cellulose, mineral wool or cotton. Cellulose is a wise material if you have a lot of small spots to fill, such as around pipes, wiring or framing. While cellulose is competitively priced and fire resistant, you’ll also have to realize that it can hold on to moisture and flatten as time passes.
Spray Foam Attic Insulation
This liquid insulation converts to a hard foam on contact. It offers the broadest barrier against air, vapor and water. Spray foam attic insulation is ideal for sealing cracks and other hard-to-get at areas. It’s highly durable, doesn’t settle and offers a natural sound barrier.
When you need to install additional in your attic, Orangutan Home Services can support you. Our licensed and certified Experts are here to provide knowledgeable advice and great service that includes a 100% satisfaction guarantee.* Contact us at 602-906-0111 or use our online scheduler to schedule an appointment now.
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