Having the right insulation thickness in your attic doesn’t just keep your home comfortable. It can help you save lots of money on your utility expenses.
If you think your home is among the 90% in the United States that doesn’t have adequate attic insulation, now is a fantastic time to install more. Having enough insulation helps even out your home’s temps and halt wintertime problems such as ice dams, according to the Insulation Institute.
As you prep to begin adding insulation to your attic, you may be wondering if you need to do attic insulation removal. Not necessarily, and here’s why.
In Most Cases, You Can Keep Old Attic Insulation
Unless your existing insulation is damp or damaged, you can typically keep it. We advise calling a pro who specializes in attic insulation in Mobile, like Climate Control Service Experts. That way, you’ll know your attic insulation is put in correctly and achieves building code standards. Accurate installation also means you’ll enjoy top benefits for energy efficiency.
If your insulation resembles shiny pebbles or chips, stop before adding additional insulation. Vermiculite insulation was commonly installed in homes built earlier than 1990. The EPA says you should suspect it contains asbestos, which can cause cancer. Don’t touch it or disturb it and get in touch with a company who specializes in asbestos removal.
How Much Attic Insulation You Should Have
ENERGY STAR® suggests attics should have at the very least 14” of insulation, which provides an R-value of 38. Attic insulation R-value determines how well insulation can block heat. If you live in a northern climate, as much as 18” or an R-value of 49 is recommended.
R-value is also influenced by the kind of insulation you use, its thickness and how it’s installed. When you work with a company like Climate Control Service Experts, we’ll take all the guessing out of R-values and how much insulation needs to be added.
What’s the Best Insulation for My Attic?
Climate Control Service Experts figures out the right insulation for your attic by including where you reside, your budget and how much insulation you need to add. Here are the types of attic insulation we put in.
Batt Attic Insulation
This kind of insulation comes in sheets cut to fit your attic and is made from fiberglass, mineral wool or cotton. Fiberglass is the most requested, due to its price, moisture resistance and fire resistance. Mineral wool is more expensive, but provides greater protection against fire, water and sound. Typically built from recycled jeans, cotton insulation is an earth-friendly solution that provides excellent performance.
Blown-In Attic Insulation
A specialized machine is used to add blown-in attic insulation, which may be made from fiberglass, cellulose, mineral wool or cotton. Cellulose is a good material if you have a lot of small spaces 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 take in moisture and flatten as the years pass.
Spray Foam Attic Insulation
This liquid insulation converts to a hard foam on contact. It delivers the strongest barrier against air, vapor and water. Spray foam attic insulation is ideal for plugging cracks and other difficult-to-reach locations. It’s extremely durable, doesn’t flatten and offers a natural sound wall.
When you want to install extra in your attic, Climate Control Service Experts can support you. Our licensed and certified Experts are here to give knowledgeable recommendations and excellent service backed by a 100% satisfaction guarantee.* Contact us at 251-202-7503 or use our online scheduler to get an appointment now.
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