Winter always inspires people to think about insulating the attic. With all the tax incentives and rebates, there’s no reason not to. During the winter, it’s impossible to claim. “It’s too hot to go up there now.” Darn- there went my excuse.
Here are three of the most popular attic insulations. Research to find the best product and price for your attic in your area. The high price paid now might be a better bargain in the end. Check the Department of Energy website to find out how much insulation your attic will need. The site has been updated for the current climate changes.
Spray foam insulation
Icynene is a spray foam style insulation regularly featured on such TV programs as “This Old House.” Installed by specially trained professionals, the material is sprayed from a pressure nozzle. Within seconds, it grows, filling every nook and cranny with eco-friendly and non-toxic insulation that won’t rot or grow mold.
Check your local dealer for prices. Not only is this product used in attics but in walls as well.
BioBased Insulation is spray- style insulation, but is made from the humble and incredibly versatile soybean. Really, is there anything it can’t be made into?
Neither bugs nor critters find it appetizing, and mold won’t grow on it. This insulation won’t sag or pack down like loose-fill or batts will over time. In addition, it won’t suffer water damage if a pipe breaks.
Batts
Batts come in different widths to accommodate the spaces between the joists- that is, the boards that make up the floor of the attic and your ceiling underneath. They can be faced or unfaced. Faced batts have a paper covering which is a vapor barrier, not allowing water to condense and rot your insulation. You can lay unfaced batts horizontally across faced batts; this boosts the R-Value.
Fiberglass batts have been around for decades and are the most common. When using them, wear long sleeves, facemasks, eye shields and I wear a shower cap to protect my hair. After installing this, take a long shower and wash your clothes separately. Paper overalls are available in hardware stores, but they won’t last in an attic.
Non-fiberglass batts have come onto the scene with homeowners and DIY’ers jumping for joy. Most are encased fully in a wrapping (vapor barrier), which makes installation a breeze. The only drawback- if you need to boost the R-Value, you will need to cut the wrapping to lay unfaced batts across. I suppose we can’t have everything.
Loose Fill or Blown In
Diy’ers and Pros have installed blown in insulation for decades. Different materials can be used- fiberglass, wool, rock wool (steel fiber) insulation to achieve a proper R-Value.
A blower is rented and a hopper outside is filled. The installer has a face shield on and aims and shoots. The material is blown into the attic in very short time.
While this is the fastest method to insulate an attic, it does have serious drawbacks in my opinion as a homeowner and DIY’er.
First, you can’t control where the stuff lands. You could fill the soffits, which need to be clear for attic ventilation. Proper baffles (air chutes) would solve this.
Second, you now need to clear the stuff away from all electrical junctions and light fixtures to eliminate fire hazards. I thought the stuff was supposed to eliminate crawling around in an attic.
Third, this stuff packs down quick and any moisture from anywhere just ruins it.
Fourth, you need over a foot of the stuff in any given space to get the proper R-Value. See the first point.
Last, you need a lot of material to fill the hopper and the attic. Measuring my attic, it’s easier (or at least cheaper) to drag batts with me.
