Winter is approaching once again, which means it’s time to stop and ask yourself just how prepared your home is for the soon-to-be frigid temperatures. If you’re considering adding more insulation or replacing your existing materials, cellulose attic insulation is probably already on your radar. But how can you use it to its maximum efficacy?
Below is everything you need to know about cellulose to get the most protection and comfort possible from your investment.
Why Consider Cellulose for Attic Insulation?
Cellulose insulation is a particular type of the material that is made from recycled paper products like cardboard and newspapers.
While that may sound a bit unorthodox and dangerous, it’s treated with fire retardants, making it a safe and sustainable option for homeowners who want to upgrade their insulation. Many people also like the eco-friendliness of cellulose, but these qualities aren’t the only things it brings to the table.
Cellulose insulation has a high R-value, which indicates that it’s good at resisting heat flow. And unlike other types of insulation, it’s also effective at resisting pests, mainly if treated with agents specific to addressing infestations. It can even help absorb sound.
With benefits like these, it’s easy to see why many homeowners might consider swapping out their current attic insulation for cellulose to effectively insulate their homes!
Preparing for New Attic Insulation Installation
Before you follow through with your decision to install new cellulose insulation, it’s crucial to be prepared by handling the following tasks:
Inspect Existing Insulation in Your Home
If your current insulation is damaged or old and worn, you’ll want to seriously consider updating it. Homeowners with cellulose insulation already in their homes might also want to check to see if there’s room for extra insulation. Adding on to it will only improve its energy efficiency and make your home more comfortable.
Know the R-Value You Need
Even though a high R-value is generally considered good, the exact value you’ll want to see could be a different story.
There are R-value ranges for many geographic locations. You’ll want to use these as a guide for the bare minimum comfort. However, the numbers vary drastically; attic insulation R-values could be anywhere from R-30 to R-60. Knowing what makes the most sense for your climate will help you invest in the right type and amount of insulation.
Consider Installation Options
Installing attic insulation isn’t an easy task. It requires a lot of gear and knowledge to accomplish correctly. If you’re going to invest in the insulation anyway, it’s best to have a professional install it for you. That is especially true if you’re using blown-in cellulose, which requires an insulation blower. And even if you’re not, you’ll still have to spend extra on equipment that many homeowners simply don’t have on hand.
It’s a much bigger hassle to take a DIY approach to cellulose installation than with other types of insulation, like fiberglass batting.
At the same time, though, it’s worthwhile to install, so don’t let that deter you from making the update. Ultimately, you’ll want to remember that if you’re not going to have professional help, you’ll still be investing a big chunk of time and money to make it happen.
Get Your Attic Ready
Regardless of whether you do the installation yourself or outsource it to a professional contractor, you want to ensure your attic is ready, and that involves clearing the space of any debris. Old insulation can usually be left to the professionals on your installation day. And if there’s any mold growth or pests, don’t bother with new insulation until these issues are properly addressed.
You can also seal air leaks before adding insulation. Doing so will extend the effort of the DIY method even further, but it’s painless if you hire a professional. They’ll be more than happy to add on services to ensure you get the most out of your cellulose.
Installing a Vapor Barrier
Like with insulation, vapor barrier installations are best left to pros. Still, it’s not unreasonable to install a vapor barrier yourself and hire a team to complete the subsequent insulation installation. If you do choose to go down this route, make sure you install the vapor barrier before your scheduled installation date.
Checking in After the Installation
An attic professional will debrief with you after they finish. That’s the perfect time to ask any questions you have about your insulation, such as how to maintain its R-value and what challenges your specific home might run into. Use whatever information you get to inform how much or little maintenance you focus on going forward.
Maintaining Your Cellulose Insulation for Optimal Energy Performance
Maintenance is vital to ensuring your insulation is working as intended. Here’s what you should do post-installation, professionally handled or not:
Check for Gaps and Debris
Insulation technicians will do their best to cover everything and clean up after themselves. Still, it’s worth checking to see if there’s anything leftover from the installation. That might include finding gaps or holes and making the necessary adjustments to get the coverage your attic needs.
Check for Settling
Settling can impact the effectiveness of your insulation. It isn’t something that will happen immediately, but you’ll want to keep an eye on things like your energy bills and HVAC performance to see if it happens over time. Eventually, you might need to add more to keep up the R-value.
Address Leaks Immediately
Water is insulation’s nemesis. If you ever suspect a leak in your roof or plumbing, handle it before it damages the cellulose. Leaving it alone could mean you’ll be greeted by waterlogged insulation and mold growth the next time you visit your attic.
Consider Professional Inspections and Repairs
A professional can help assess your installation’s health, including checking for settling, pests, or moisture damage. But more than that, they’ll have solutions on hand to help address them quickly. Even if you perform inspections regularly yourself, it’s still best to have someone come in periodically to ensure your attic insulation stays healthy.
No More Worrying About Winter Weather with New Cellulose Insulation
Winter’s well on its way, but the cold has met its match with cellulose insulation installed from Attic Projects! If you need new attic insulation, contact our team to secure an appointment before temperatures drop!