What is the Best Way to Insulate an Attic?

attic insulation installation

Answering All Your Questions

Believe it or not, insulation is not all the same and is not created equally. There is a wide variety of insulation types out there depending on your climate and the current condition of your attic insulation. A quick assessment will tell you where you lay and what needs to be done. The best step to take if you think that you are in need of new or additional insulation is to call in the experts. American Insulation, LLC has been serving the Arlington, TX area for years, providing nothing but the best in quality and service. We can also help you learn more about the insulation that keeps your home protected so you can know the signs to look out for. When you are aware of what to look for, you can be better prepared to know what is needed to keep your home properly protected. For more information, dial (817) 588-2050 to connect with American Insulation, LLC. We will help you understand how to insulate an attic in Arlington, TX.

what to use to insulate an attic

What is the Best Type of Insulation?

There are perhaps three different insulations that are the best for your home. Those three would be fiberglass, foam, and cellulose. Knowing what each can offer for your home can help you make the most informed decision possible.

Cellulose is the most common type. This is because it can a loose-fill or blown-in installation, meaning that anyone with enough knowledge and time could perform the installation. That’s a huge plus for DIYers out there.

Fiberglass also offers a DIY aspect as it is inexpensive and relatively easy to install. Fiberglass has one distinct downside, though, and that is that it can be very dangerous to inhale while installing. When using fiberglass, ensure that you are using the proper equipment so that you don’t inhale the little fibers.

Open-cell has tremendous expansion properties, allowing it to fill every last nook and cranny in your attic space. This ensures that you are getting the most efficient installation possible, with none of those tough-to-reach areas getting missed.

Really, you can’t go wrong with any of those three options, though cellulose and open-cell have clear benefits over the fiberglass option for those attempting a DIY installation. These are all excellent options in most moderate climates, though it might be worth looking into something stronger in the areas of the country that have extremely low temperatures.

How Thick Should Attic Insulation Be?

Want to hear a staggering number? Among homes in the United States, a whopping 90% of them are under-insulated. This is because far too many do not know how much attic insulation is needed to properly insulate an attic space.

The first step is to have the space inspected. This is to note the current level of insulation as well as to search for any problems with the previous installation. If there is rotting or the previous insulation is wet, that will need to be stripped out and replaced immediately.

For a properly insulated home that registers at R-38 – which is recommended for most southern climates – you need to have insulation that is 13”-14” in depth. There’s a good chance that your insulation is not near this height just yet and will require additional layers.

Should you find yourself in a colder, northern climate, your insulation will need to be in the 16”-18” range of depth. This is because those freezing temperatures can really penetrate insulation and that additional layer is needed to make certain that your home is properly protected. Connect with us to learn more about how to insulate an attic in Arlington, TX!

Having an inspection done to determine your current levels as well as what is needed to reach proper insulation levels should be a priority. Improper levels can leave your home functioning inefficiently, raising the cost of your energy bills as well.

Can You Put New Insulation Over the Old?

Yes, you can. That is, of course, unless the previous insulation is wet. If it is wet or appears that the insulation had been wet previously, make certain to look for the cause and repair it immediately. This could be the result of a leak which could cause greater issues down the line.

Wet insulation can also lead to some serious problems in your attic. It can cause mold and mildew to grow, creating respiratory problems within your home if left unchecked. Not only that, wet insulation can cause rotting of roof rafters and ceilings, creating structural damage that requires fixing.

If the previous insulation is not wet and has shown no signs of being wet previously, you can safely install your new insulation over the top of the existing insulation. This will save you the trouble of having to pull up the old insulation and having to dispose of it.

older method of how to insulate an attic

Connect With Our Team Today

If you have any questions, call us today at (817) 588-2050 for more. Schedule an appointment with us to learn about how to insulate an attic in Arlington, TX. This is just the beginning of the process of getting your home properly insulated so that you can enjoy efficient insulation.