Do I Need More Attic Insulation

How much does attic insulation cost.

Do i need more attic insulation.

Insulation level are specified by r value. Do i have enough. Your attic should have a certain amount of insulation in it and the recommended level of insulation for your attic is dependent on where you live. How do i know if i have enough insulation in my attic.

More insulation installation tricks and tips. Poor insulation is usually the culprit although if you enter the attic on sunny winter day your attic space can be warmed by the sun more than your furnace. Common signs of problems with insulation. R value is a measure of insulation s ability to resist heat traveling through it.

Loose fill or batt the common term for blanket insulation. A quick way to see if you need more insulation is to look across your attic floor. If your insulation level is at or below the top of the floor joists you probably need to add more insulation but remember to seal the air leaks before you insulate. The attic is the easiest place to add insulation to improve your comfort and the energy efficiency of your home.

No matter what kind of insulation you currently have in your attic one quick way to determine if you need more is to look across the span of your attic. Unless your roofing system has insulation on the roofing deck and is designed without ventilation your furnace should not be heating your attic. However there are a few easy things you can do to see if your attic is properly insulated. If you notice one or more of these occurring you probably need to take action.

Inspecting your attic insulation. The pros charge 1 500 to 2 000 to do a 1 200 sq ft. In particularly cold climates you might go up to r 60. If you need to add insulation in your attic save big by blowing in cellulose insulation yourself.

But it settles more than those materials so you ve got to put in a thicker layer to get the protection you need. Blowing attic insulation isn t hard but it s dusty sweaty work. The table below shows what levels of insulation are cost effective for different climates and locations in the home. Your home s r value score will guide you toward the type of insulation you need.

If your insulation is just level with or below your floor. First things first you need to go up into your attic inspect the condition of the insulation and calculate the current level of insulation. The higher the r value the better the thermal performance of the insulation. Dallas texas falls in climate zone three where attics are recommended to have an r value between 38 49 this means a minimum of 12 of insulation.

For diy attic insulation you ve got two choices. You can do it yourself for about 500.