Common Attic Insulation Problems and How to Solve Them
What is Attic Insulation?
When you hear the world “insulation”, what is the first thing that comes to mind? Perhaps, it’s the pink, cotton-candy material. On average, many homeowners know what insulation looks like; however, they are not familiar with the purpose of insulation and the ability to recognize if the insulation is doing its job or not. In other words …
"Is your insulation saving you money or costing you money?"
Let’s start with the main purpose of insulation: to provide resistance to heat flow, which, in turn, will reduce cooling and heating costs.
Just as anything else in life, insulation comes in different sizes and colors. Did you know that the Department of Energy lists 9 different types of insulation? They are as follows …
-
Blanket Systems (batt insulation, fiberglass)
-
Concrete block insulation
-
Foam board
-
Insulating concrete forms
-
Loose-fill, blown-in (fiberglass, cellulose)
-
Reflective system
-
Rigid fiber insulation
-
Spray foam insulation
-
Structural insulated panels
You can read more about each insulation type on their website.
Of course, each insulation has its advantages and disadvantages; however, one of the main functions of insulation, which is to improve home comfort, remains unparalleled when cross-examining different insulation types.
Why is Attic Insulation Necessary?
Providing a critical barrier to year-round temperature changes, attic insulation is important as it regulates your home’s internal temperature.
During the winter, attic insulation works to keep the heat in and cold air out. Conversely, in the summer, attic insulation works to retain the cool air, and keep the warm air out. Attic insulation also helps keep indoor air quality clean, removing any environmental toxins within your home.
If you notice the internal temperature of your home starting to fluctuate from normal, this is a sign that your insulation is no longer effective, or contaminated.
What Are Some Common Attic Insulation Problems?
Missed rooms. When searching for a professional, insulation contractor, it is important to ensure that they have a full understanding of the layout of the commercial building or residential home. This will avoid any future mistakes of missing a room for insulation. For example, the contractor might assume that one room was part of an uninsulated garage.
Uneven insulation (BIBs). If you choose Blown-in Blanket Systems (BIBs) for insulation, machines will be used to distribute the material- whether it be fiberglass or cellulose insulation. Please note, that if the machine does not distribute the material evenly, you must manually fix this and distribute it properly after the machine has distributed all the insulation. Unevenly, distributed insulation greatly reduces the effectiveness.
Insufficient R-Value. Higher R-value is the goal. It keeps the warm air IN your home during the winter and cold air IN your home during the summer.
Attic Access Uninsulated. Along with insulating the attic itself, it is important to insulate the attic access as well. This is essential. Fiberglass insulation can easily attach to sheetrock that will fully cover the attic access point.
Absence of Insulation in Knee Walls. First off, knee walls are vertical, short walls, usually under 3’ in height, that sit between the house’s ceiling and attic. If you have different ceiling heights within your home, typically knee walls are used. Failure to insulate knee walls dramatically reduced the effectiveness of insulation.
Hire An Insulation Contractor Today to Fix Your Insulation Problems!
The simple process of insulation removal or insulation “top-ups” normally takes 1-2 days for the entirety of the project (*This depends on the square footage of the project being insulated.)
Choosing the right insulation contractor can help the homeowner navigate through potential safety hazards, while pinpointing specific solutions to increase the energy efficiency within your home.
Pro Insulation Contracting knows all about delivering professional and high-quality insulation installations. Offering a wide range of services, we can guarantee that your attic, or other parts within your home, will be properly insulated.
Call us today to receive a free consultation, or to simply learn more about keeping your home comfortable and energy-efficient. The government likes to reward homeowners with FREE rebates as a thank-you for making your home greener.
