Attic Insulation | The Home Improvement Site

Easy Attic Insulation Suggestions

May 16th, 2009 Subscribe To Our Feed

There are many options available when it comes to buying insulation. There are many things that need to be considered when figuring out which type of attic insulation will suit you best. The unique aspects of your home and the preference of the installer are two important factors.

The first thing to do when buying attic insulation is figuring out what your needed R value is. Often insulation with a high R value will be thick and heavy. Your R value will also be determined by the climate in your local area. Various types of insulation will give you different R value. You will need to decide which type of insulation will have the R value you need. Once you know the correct R value for your circumstances then you can look at the type of insulation that will work best.

Some of the main types of attic insulation available include blankets, loose-fill spray, rigid, and reflective. Each of these materials has some advantages and the R values will vary. One of the most popular types of attic insulation is loose fill. Loose fill spary comes in several types including cellulose, polyurethane foam, rock wool, and fiberglass. It works great for those areas in the attic that are hard to reach. Most often this type of insulation is sprayed in with a blower. Special equipment is needed to put loose fill attic insulation in your attic.

Homeowners who want to do the job themselves may want to think about using another type of insulation such as blanket or reflective. You can purchase blanket insulation in rolls that are made from either fiberglass or rock wool. Pieces from the roll can be cut to fit into your attic spaces. It is possible to buy blanket insulation either with or without a special vapor retardant. Rigid insulation can be made from several different types of foam. Even with its light weight it can provide great thermal and acoustical insulation. Reflective insulation is a foil lined surface that is designed to reduce downward heat flow.