Whenever homeowners consider improvement projects, their minds gravitate toward home offices or finished basements. Those are excellent projects — if your home is already well insulated. Otherwise, attic insulation is easily one of the best investments to ensure a comfortable home that doesn’t cost a fortune to keep warm or cool.
Some might worry about attic insulation and how healthy it is to install. Fiberglass batting is going out of style as people have begun to favor other options, but which choices are the healthiest? Look for GREENGUARD-certified insulation if you want something safe and effective. Here are a few options to consider when choosing insulation.
Types of Attic Insulation
Before crowning the healthiest winner, let’s review the different types of insulation. This information highlights the pros and cons so that it’s easier for you to make an informed decision.
Fiberglass Insulation
Fiberglass insulation might have a lot more competition these days, but it’s still one of the top picks for attic insulation, thanks to its incredible thermal resistance. Fiberglass also isn’t inherently unhealthy; newer choices don’t contain irritants or chemicals like formaldehyde. These options will be labeled low-VOC (volatile organic compounds) or formaldehyde-free.
It’s also the most cost-effective choice and is widely available. However, is it healthy? The healthiest options will always be the ones free from harmful chemicals. Still, fiberglass can irritate your skin or lungs if you’re exposed to it. So, even if you do choose fiberglass, make sure to have a professional install it for you.
Cellulose Insulation
Cellulose attic insulation is primarily made of newspaper that has been treated with fire retardants. Since it’s made from recycled materials, it’s incredibly eco-friendly. Its low environmental impact makes it an excellent choice for those who are worried about the health of the planet and their home.
A significant drawback of cellulose insulation, however, is that it can still absorb moisture. You can avoid this with proper installation. A professional can ensure the area is appropriately ventilated. However, if it’s not installed correctly, you might notice warm or cold pockets in your home or, even worse, mold growth.
Spray Foam Insulation
Spray foam insulation is one of the more versatile options. It expands to fit a space and creates an airtight seal. It’s hands-down the smartest choice if you want to reduce drafts and energy loss. The airtight seal can also act as a barrier against moisture or pests.
Health-wise, spray foam doesn’t perform as well. Some spray foam products also have harmful chemicals, much like fiberglass. However, as long as you choose the low-VOC option, you can rest assured you have the safer option. Professional installation is required for spray foam since the application process is complex. Professionals will have specialty tools to ensure it’s done right.
Cotton or Denim Insulation
You’re reading this right: cotton insulation, made from recycled denim, is actually a great choice to keep your home’s temperatures stable. It’s another eco-friendly choice that’s safe to handle and has no harmful chemicals. Even though it’s basically made from old jeans, it still boasts good thermal performance and sound absorption.
However, there’s a catch. It’s often going to be the most expensive of the four choices on this list. Additionally, it could need extra treatments to improve the fire resistance, which can increase the cost, but it’s certainly something you shouldn’t ignore.
What Should You Consider Before Choosing Your Attic Insulation?
It’s essential to consider the context when choosing attic insulation. The healthiest option for one home might not be the best for another. Here are a few questions you can mull over before you invest in new insulation.
How Important Is Moisture Resistance?
If you live in a humid climate or have struggled with moisture in the past, moisture resistance will likely be very important. Moisture can not only damage your insulation but also ruin other elements of your home, such as promoting mold growth.
If this is a concern, it’s best to install moisture-resistant insulation. However, you can also consider installing a vapor barrier with your insulation. This can make up for weaknesses in the attic insulation or just provide another way to protect your home from condensation.
Do You Know the R-value?
The R-value is a measurement of an insulation’s resistance to heat flow. Higher R-values mean the insulation is more effective. However, depending on your location and climate, you might need a higher-than-average R-value to ensure your home stays comfortable.
You should also look at local building codes to see the minimum requirements for R-value. You can then base your decision on how much higher you want to go from there, or you can cross-reference it with your current insulation’s R-value.
What Does “Healthy” Mean to You?
When discussing the healthiness of attic insulation, what initially comes to mind? Is it something that’s best for the environment? Or is it something that doesn’t pose any health risks? Most homeowners want a combination of both, but some lean one way over the other.
For example, a low-VOC fiberglass attic insulation could still be safe if someone in your home has allergies or respiratory conditions. However, if eco-friendliness matters just as much to you, you’ll likely want to use an option made from renewable resources, like cellulose or cotton.
What Does the Installation Look Like?
Arguably, the only option that makes sense to install yourself is cotton insulation, but even then, you won’t have the quality you’d get from having professionals take care of it for you.
This will be the best route in most cases since it protects your health, ensures proper coverage, and means you don’t have to buy excess equipment or protective gear just to DIY the installation.
Make New Attic Insulation a Part of Healthier Living
Ready to invest in a home improvement project that has your long-term health and happiness in mind? The Attic Projects team is here for you! Contact our team today to learn more about the benefits of our insulation installation options, and we’ll provide a safe, effective solution that’s sure to fit your budget.