Attic insulation is a hidden yet often extremely beneficial component of keeping your home happy, healthy, and comfortable. Learn more about the benefits of insulation, how it should be installed, the importance of having a professional install insulation in your home, and if installing insulation is really worth it.
Top 5 Benefits of Insulating Your Attic
Insulation installation offers many benefits to your home, your health, and even your bank account. Below are some of our favorite benefits that installing or updating insulating in your attic can offer:
1. Saves you money
Did you know that installing insulation in your attic can save you money on your energy bill? The reason why you notice your energy bill is higher in the winter and summer is because heat travels – in the summer it flows into your home and in the winter it flows out of your home. If your home is uninsulated or under-insulated, the hot air is able to flow freely in and out, thus raising your energy bill. When insulation is installed properly in your attic, it reduces airflow so you don’t have to pay as much to heat and cool your home in the winter and summer months. Insulation also makes your HVAC system more efficient and increases its longevity while preventing pipes from freezing due to its ability to regulate temperature.
2. Increases indoor air quality
Another great benefit of insulating your attic is that it increases the indoor air quality of your home. Pollutants can enter your home from the outside through poor sealing and an under-insulated attic. Attic insulation prevents outdoor pollutants from spreading through your home and impacting the health of your family. Installing attic insulation lets you breathe easier with the increase in the indoor air quality of your home.
3. Deters pests
No one wants pests like rodents, squirrels, insects, or bats to wreak havoc on their home and family. Animals like roof rats love living in the upper parts of homes and making nests out of old insulation. The presence of pests can cause a host of problems to your health and home. Replacing old insulation or installing new insulation will prevent unwanted pests from entering into your home.
4. Prevents damage to your home
Having insulation installed properly in your attic can actually prevent damage to your home. It prevents moisture and condensation from reaching the home’s structure, which can cause damage to your roof, walls, and ceiling causing wood root, mold growth, and the erosion of cement. Often the build up of condensation goes unnoticed in the attic, so having insulation installed prevents it from becoming an issue you need to worry about. Additionally, because insulation prevents moisture from forming on the underside of your roof, it actually extends the life of your roof, which is great for your wallet because replacing a roof is extraordinarily expensive.
5. Increases the value of your home
We like to think of attic insulation as an important investment for its health and cost saving benefits to your home, but it also has an added benefit of increasing the value of your home. New attic insulation is a great selling point for potential buyers as it reduces energy costs, deters pets, prevents damage to your home, and increases the indoor air quality. In other words, attic insulation is a hidden way that ensures your home is safe and comfortable, which is attractive to potential buyers.
What is R-value?
If you are doing research on attic insulation, you have no doubt come across the term “R-value” and may be wondering what that is. R-value measures the thermal resistance of the insulation material, or its ability to reduce heat flow. The higher the R-value is, the more the heat flow is reduced, and the more efficient the insulation is.
Something interesting to know about the R-Value is that the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) regulates manufacturer claims about insulation. This ensures that all manufacturer claims about the R-value are accurate and not deceptive. This regulation allows consumers and construction professionals the ability to trust the product’s information about their R-value so they can make informed decisions when installing insulation.
Is blown or rolled insulation better for your attic?
When it comes to insulation, there are a few different types to choose from including blown-in and rolled insulation. Blown-in insulation is made from materials such as fiberglass or other cellulose based materials that have been treated with chemicals that evaporate overtime. Blown-in insulation that features fiberglass don’t have any chemicals added and is non-toxi. Blown-in insulation is applied using a blowing machine that allows construction professionals to efficiently insulate every inch of your attic. Blown-in insulation has a high R-value and is a great method to efficiently insulate the attic area of your home.
Rolled insulation is what many of us picture when we think of insulation, it is primarily made from fiberglass but is also known to be made from plastic fibers, mineral wool, or natural fibers. It is presented as a big roll (hence its name) that can be cut to fit the area where it is being installed. The R-Value on rolled insulation can vary depending on your needs and budget – but remember, lower R-Value means less effective insulation.
Many people wonder which type is better for their Attic. Both of the aforementioned insulation types can be effective and offer benefits to your home and family, but, blown-in insulation is a more modern solution to a successful insulation installation. The attic is often a difficult space for rolled insulation due to the fact that they often feature small corners and odd nooks and crannies. Blown-in insulation is more effective in an attic space as it allows your construction professional to easily reach and treat those areas that may be more difficult when using rolled insulation. Blown-in insulation also takes less time to install than rolled insulation making it a more efficient way to experience the benefits of a successfully insulated attic.
Can I install attic insulation myself?
For people who love DIY projects, installing insulation may seem like a great idea, but in our opinion, installing attic insulation should be left to the experts. The reason for this is that experts like us know how to effectively handle the materials and equipment required to install attic insulation for the health and safety of all involved. For example, if the cellulose blowing machine is not run properly, the cellulose will go all over the place, get in the ductwork and cause dust to be blown throughout the home. Additionally, experienced professionals will be able to spot any structural issues that could impact the success of the insulation installation, like a roof that leaks and address those problems so that the insulation will be effective in the long run.Our team at Attic Construction can determine how best to proceed when installing your insulation.
To save yourself time and money, we recommend working with experts to get insulation properly installed in your attic. Remember, you will only experience the benefits of insulation if it is installed correctly. When working with a professional like Attic Construction, you are employing the services of experts who will get you the results you are seeking.
Is adding insulation to the attic worth it?
At Attic Construction, we are strong believers in the magic of proper attic insulation. Installing new insulation in your attic is absolutely worth the time and cost as you will experience the benefits discussed here. According to the Department of Energy, homeowners who install insulation to attics, crawl spaces, and other areas of their home will experience 30% savings on the cost of heating and cooling to their home. That figure alone makes attic insulation worth it and an investment in a cost-efficient, happy home!