Attic Insulation Facts

Although spray foam insulation has been in use since the 1940s primarily for aircraft for the past 30 years continual product innovation has seen the increased adoption of spray foam insulation in residential and commercial construction.

Attic insulation facts.

We offer our review of the three most popular types of attic insulation with a look at each one s pros and cons. Where to insulate insulate your attic outer walls and crawl space first as these areas have the most heat transfer. Powered attic fans attic insulation facts kitchen ventilation text. This is a powered attic ventilation fan.

Of loose fill or 7 to 19 in. Because insulation plays a major role in your home s weatherization knowing some basic facts about insulation can help you stay more comfortable and lower your energy bills year round. Asbestos insulation originated in ancient greece. Attic insulation facts if you want to know what every homeowner should know about attic insulation read on to learn more.

Provide the recommended level of insulation under floors above unheated spaces around walls in a heated basement or unventilated crawl space and on the edges of slabs on grade. For example loose fill insulation is calculated based on depth while blanket insulation is based on the number of batts or rolls you need. The rapid growth of sprayed foam insulation in building construction thanks in part to its immediate and long term. If it doesn t have excellent intake air around the soffits it can actually vacuum air from inside your home.

Check with the local building department to find the recommended level for your area or visit energysavers gov. In most homes but especially in older homes adding insulation in the attic will cut heat loss. Insulation materials run the gamut from bulky fiber materials such as fiberglass rock and slag wool cellulose and natural fibers to rigid foam boards to sleek foils. With the baltimore area s humid summers and unpredictable winters good weatherization is essential for reliable comfort.

Bulky materials resist conductive and to a lesser degree convective heat flow in a building cavity. The earliest form of insulation was during the middle ages when the walls of homes were stuffed with mud and straw to keep out the cold. It is not often we do this but the following is quoted from a very helpful article that first appeared in the washington post in july 2017. At a minimum homes should have attic insulation between r 22 and r 49 6 to 13 in.

Rigid foam boards trap air or another gas to resist conductive heat flow. Your options for attic insulation range from radiant barriers to sheets of mineral wool but most homeowners stick with products made from cellulose or fiberglass. Insulation priorities it is most important to.