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What Is The Best Attic Insulation?
Regardless of how big your home is or what material it's made of, each house needs to have an appropriately insulated attic to keep the temperature controlled and the energy bill down. Furthermore, in the event that you live in an area with especially cold and snowy winters, that last sentence concerns you the most.
However, which attic insulation is ideal? This is anything but a "one size fits all" answer, as there are a few factors that come into play. Continue reading to discover everything you need to know about the various types of attic insulation, and how you can approach picking which one is right for you. Overview of R-Value Any discussion about legitimate attic protection must start with a firm comprehension of R-Value, the unit by which the strength of insulation is determined. R-Value is a material's ability to oppose the exchange of heat. A material's R-Value is commonly influenced by the accompanying four components: Sort of material (more on this next) Thickness Density How and where it's installed The higher the total R-value of an attic, the better it will capture heat and prevent your home from turning into a block of ice in winter or a sauna in summer. In general, the US Department of Energy recommends keeping the following R-value levels in your attic: -Hot climates: R30 (like California) -Temperate climates: R38 (this is generally the desired level for homes in California) -Cold climates: R49 |
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Sorts of Attic Insulation Material
While the R-value is a measure of "the higher the better," does not mean that the insulation material with the highest R-value is the best choice for your home. Different insulation materials have unique strengths and weaknesses, which means some attics will be better equipped for certain materials versus others.
Here is an overview of the most commonly used insulation materials, the advantages that have made them so popular with consumers, and the disadvantages to consider before purchasing:
Fiberglass
Fiberglass is like McDonald's Big Mac when it comes to insulation - it's not the highest quality option, but it's by far the most popular. Its R-value ranges from 2.2 to 4.3.
The fact that fiberglass has been a staple of new construction and full gut home renovations is easy to follow. It has many benefits, including the following:
-Cheap and easily accessible
-Resistant to humidity, so it is especially sought after in areas with high humidity
-Does not shrink over time
-Fire resistant
-Avoids insect infestation
Cellulose
Cellulose is insulation that typically comes from either recycled paper or wood, which proves it even better for the environment than fiberglass. It’s R-value is between 3.2 and 3.5, making it an okay choice in regards to heat resistance compared to other insulation options. But looking at it from a performance standpoint, cellulose has a few positives such as:
-Versatility- Being dense and thick in consistency, the cellulose is able to fit in closed off areas or conform around wiring or pipes.
-Fire-Resistance- Since cellulose fibers are tightly packed and treated with innocuous boric acid before packaging, cellulose is fire-resistance, as well as inedible for bugs.
Cellulose has some pretty impressive qualities and still remains an inexpensive commodity. It is usually up to 25% cheaper than fiberglass, but also has its drawbacks like:
-Absorbs Moisture- Insulation is useless as soon as it becomes wet. Because cellulose is designed to grab and hold onto water, it surrenders its purpose in the presence of moisture quicker than other insulation materials. This not only becomes ineffective but also develops mold and mildew, and even rotting. And if cellulose does become wet, the boric acid used to treat the insulation turns from harmless to corrosive.
-Settling- Cellulose tends to settle and droop over time making it less effective. This is an easier fix in attics and pertains more to walls throughout the house.
-Dust- Cellulose creates a whole lot of dust when being installed so make sure to wear a respiratory mask and goggles tightly.
Mineral Wool
This type of insulation is a combination of melted down stone and recycled slag from steel mills. Mineral wool is often used in Canada and Europe but is now making a comeback in the US. Compared to fiberglass, mineral wool is more expensive, but you get more bang for your buck for the following reasons:
-Fire Barrier- Mineral wool doesn’t start to burn until reaching extremely hot temperatures of 18,000 degrees F. In the case of a house fire, this would give the fire department crucial house saving minutes to arrive and put out the fire.
-Water Resistant- Not only is it fire-resistant, mineral wool is also water-resistant, being able to continue to insulate with the worst water leak.
-Sound Proof- Mineral wool is very effective at blocking external noise from entering inside.
The only downside with mineral wool insulation is inhaling it during installation. This can be potentially cancerous so please proceed with caution if you are present for the installation.
Cotton
This type of insulation comes from recycled blue jeans and is a viable choice for a couple reasons:
-High Performance- With an R-Value of about 3.7 and up, cotton is great at trapping heat.
-Safety- Fiberglass and minerwool present a couple of safety hazards such as physical handling and the fibers they release into the air, but cotton insulation is the safest option of them all. No irritants on your skin or the consequence of breathing it in during installation.
Foam
Foam insulation takes the cake when it comes to performance. These are the two types of foam insulation:
-Open Cell- Has an R-Value of 3.5
-Closed Cell- Has an R-Value of R7
Here is why Foam is such a great option:
-Supreme Air Leakage Prevention- Foam is a stickler against air coming in or going out, and is able to expand quickly and create an airtight seal over openings that other insulation materials couldn’t do. This feature also prevents airborne contaminants from spreading.
-Tough on Water- Water is unable to permeate foam insulation, which means water can’t seep into the insulation. The foam also contains a polymer that deters mold and mildew growth.
-Durability- Foam is very efficient and never settles, even in severe temperature drops. It is the most maintenance free insulation out there.
-Dual-Purpose- When this insulation is applied to the roofline, the effect is doubled. It not only strengthens the home’s structure but also serves as a solid sound blocker.
These impressive perks to foam insulation comes at a high cost, along with some other drawbacks:
-Shrinkage- The R-Value of foam never goes away, although it can shrink over time.
-Professional Installation or Bust- If foam isn’t installed properly under the supervision of an expert, it’s likely to fold over itself and create pockets that can’t be seen by the naked eye. Even worse, you may expose yourself to the foam before it fully cures, becoming non-toxic, which can potentially be life-threatening.
While the R-value is a measure of "the higher the better," does not mean that the insulation material with the highest R-value is the best choice for your home. Different insulation materials have unique strengths and weaknesses, which means some attics will be better equipped for certain materials versus others.
Here is an overview of the most commonly used insulation materials, the advantages that have made them so popular with consumers, and the disadvantages to consider before purchasing:
Fiberglass
Fiberglass is like McDonald's Big Mac when it comes to insulation - it's not the highest quality option, but it's by far the most popular. Its R-value ranges from 2.2 to 4.3.
The fact that fiberglass has been a staple of new construction and full gut home renovations is easy to follow. It has many benefits, including the following:
-Cheap and easily accessible
-Resistant to humidity, so it is especially sought after in areas with high humidity
-Does not shrink over time
-Fire resistant
-Avoids insect infestation
Cellulose
Cellulose is insulation that typically comes from either recycled paper or wood, which proves it even better for the environment than fiberglass. It’s R-value is between 3.2 and 3.5, making it an okay choice in regards to heat resistance compared to other insulation options. But looking at it from a performance standpoint, cellulose has a few positives such as:
-Versatility- Being dense and thick in consistency, the cellulose is able to fit in closed off areas or conform around wiring or pipes.
-Fire-Resistance- Since cellulose fibers are tightly packed and treated with innocuous boric acid before packaging, cellulose is fire-resistance, as well as inedible for bugs.
Cellulose has some pretty impressive qualities and still remains an inexpensive commodity. It is usually up to 25% cheaper than fiberglass, but also has its drawbacks like:
-Absorbs Moisture- Insulation is useless as soon as it becomes wet. Because cellulose is designed to grab and hold onto water, it surrenders its purpose in the presence of moisture quicker than other insulation materials. This not only becomes ineffective but also develops mold and mildew, and even rotting. And if cellulose does become wet, the boric acid used to treat the insulation turns from harmless to corrosive.
-Settling- Cellulose tends to settle and droop over time making it less effective. This is an easier fix in attics and pertains more to walls throughout the house.
-Dust- Cellulose creates a whole lot of dust when being installed so make sure to wear a respiratory mask and goggles tightly.
Mineral Wool
This type of insulation is a combination of melted down stone and recycled slag from steel mills. Mineral wool is often used in Canada and Europe but is now making a comeback in the US. Compared to fiberglass, mineral wool is more expensive, but you get more bang for your buck for the following reasons:
-Fire Barrier- Mineral wool doesn’t start to burn until reaching extremely hot temperatures of 18,000 degrees F. In the case of a house fire, this would give the fire department crucial house saving minutes to arrive and put out the fire.
-Water Resistant- Not only is it fire-resistant, mineral wool is also water-resistant, being able to continue to insulate with the worst water leak.
-Sound Proof- Mineral wool is very effective at blocking external noise from entering inside.
The only downside with mineral wool insulation is inhaling it during installation. This can be potentially cancerous so please proceed with caution if you are present for the installation.
Cotton
This type of insulation comes from recycled blue jeans and is a viable choice for a couple reasons:
-High Performance- With an R-Value of about 3.7 and up, cotton is great at trapping heat.
-Safety- Fiberglass and minerwool present a couple of safety hazards such as physical handling and the fibers they release into the air, but cotton insulation is the safest option of them all. No irritants on your skin or the consequence of breathing it in during installation.
Foam
Foam insulation takes the cake when it comes to performance. These are the two types of foam insulation:
-Open Cell- Has an R-Value of 3.5
-Closed Cell- Has an R-Value of R7
Here is why Foam is such a great option:
-Supreme Air Leakage Prevention- Foam is a stickler against air coming in or going out, and is able to expand quickly and create an airtight seal over openings that other insulation materials couldn’t do. This feature also prevents airborne contaminants from spreading.
-Tough on Water- Water is unable to permeate foam insulation, which means water can’t seep into the insulation. The foam also contains a polymer that deters mold and mildew growth.
-Durability- Foam is very efficient and never settles, even in severe temperature drops. It is the most maintenance free insulation out there.
-Dual-Purpose- When this insulation is applied to the roofline, the effect is doubled. It not only strengthens the home’s structure but also serves as a solid sound blocker.
These impressive perks to foam insulation comes at a high cost, along with some other drawbacks:
-Shrinkage- The R-Value of foam never goes away, although it can shrink over time.
-Professional Installation or Bust- If foam isn’t installed properly under the supervision of an expert, it’s likely to fold over itself and create pockets that can’t be seen by the naked eye. Even worse, you may expose yourself to the foam before it fully cures, becoming non-toxic, which can potentially be life-threatening.
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