Insulation can go on your attic’s floor, roof, or both of these places. With help from our guide, you’ll have no trouble knowing where to put attic insulation.
Attic insulation can go a long way toward making your home a more pleasant place to live, but finding the right spot for this material in your attic matters. An insulation strategy that could be a perfect fit for some homeowners might be the wrong choice for your situation.
If you’re unsure where to put attic insulation, reading up on this topic can be helpful. In this guide, we’ll help you find the best insulation location (and insulation type) for your needs.
The Importance of Attic Insulation
Many homeowners only use their attic as storage space; if that’s the case for you, you may think you don’t need to bother with attic insulation. However, insulating this space can improve your home in a number of ways.
One obvious benefit of attic insulation installation is the effect it can have on your comfort. If your attic isn’t insulated (or doesn’t have enough insulation), rooms on the upper level of your home could suffer from fluctuating temperatures. On the other hand, a well-insulated attic can help keep your home at a pleasant temperature all year long.
This is just one of the many benefits insulation has to offer—for example, you should also keep its financial advantages in mind. Since insulation can help you keep your house comfortable while using less energy, you’ll be able to cut down on your heating and cooling expenses thanks to this material. According to estimates from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, homeowners can save about 11% on their overall energy costs by installing insulation and air-sealing their houses.
Where Should You Install Insulation In Your Attic?
To get the most out of your attic insulation, you’ll need to put some thought into where it should go. You can install insulation on your:
Attic Floor
When you only use your attic for storage, there’s no need to heat this part of your home. Because of that, adding insulation on your attic’s floor is a good fit for this use case—doing so will give you the benefits of insulation at a highly affordable cost.
If your attic framing allows for easy access, installing insulation on the floor is typically straightforward. Of course, you’ll still want to ensure you can continue to get around your attic when it has insulation on its floor. Covering your insulation with boarding can make that much easier.
Attic Roof
On the other hand, you might plan to insulate your attic in order to make it a finished part of your home. If that’s the case, it’s best to insulate the inner surfaces of your attic’s pitched roof.
As part of this work, make sure your roof has an inner lining. These linings can stop moisture from affecting your roof insulation—a situation that could lead to mold growth and other issues.
Attic Floor and Roof
Of course, you don’t have to choose between insulating your attic’s floor or its roof. If you need maximum effectiveness from your attic insulation, insulating both of these areas will give you the performance you’re looking for.
If you’re considering this approach, it’s important to remember that it will require you to spend additional time and money on attic insulation. Only insulating your attic floor or roof may help you save cash while still getting the results you need.
Choose the Right Insulation Type for Your Attic
Now that you understand where to put attic insulation, let’s consider another crucial factor: finding the best insulation type for this space.
Some leading insulation materials include:
Blown-In Fiberglass
While there are several materials that homeowners can use for their blown-in insulation, fiberglass is a particularly well-known option. Blown-in fiberglass insulation is quick to put in, energy-efficient, and capable of fitting even the tiniest cracks in your attic.
That said, you’ll need to be careful when installing blown-in fiberglass insulation in order to avoid injury. This insulation can also settle over time, decreasing its R-value. And if your blown-in fiberglass gets damp, removing it can be a hassle.
Fiberglass Batts
Blown-in insulation isn’t the only way you can take advantage of fiberglass in your attic. Fiberglass batt insulation is another popular choice—these large, rolled sheets of fiberglass material are resistant to shrinkage, soundproof, and easy to install.
Unfortunately, fiberglass batt insulation also has its downsides. Like blown-in fiberglass, these batts come with a risk of injury if you aren’t careful while handling them. The vapor used to fuse these batts together can be dangerous when inhaled or touched, as well.
Blown-In Cellulose
If you want blown-in insulation but aren’t sure fiberglass is the right option, blown-in cellulose might be what you’re looking for. This method also involves blowing in loose insulation material with a blowing machine, but it uses cellulose (an insulation product consisting of various recycled materials). Blown-in cellulose is eco-friendly, has a relatively high R-value, and is flameproof thanks to the substances it is treated with.
One of the biggest drawbacks of cellulose insulation is its susceptibility to moisture—if this material gets wet, mold can start growing before you know it. And as is the case for any type of blown-in insulation, blown-in cellulose may be messier than you’d prefer from your insulation.
Spray Foam
In contrast to the other types of attic insulation listed here, spray foam insulation is sold as a liquid and settles as a foam after being sprayed. This insulation type offers advantages such as high R-values, excellent performance after settling, the ability to fill air gaps, and even added structural support for your home.
However, spray foam insulation also tends to be more expensive than other insulation types. The substances used to create this foam can also be hazardous if touched.
Install Your Attic Insulation the Right Way
Understanding where to put attic insulation is crucial when you want to get the best possible results from this material. However, you’ll also need to know how to install your insulation, and hiring a professional crew will give you exceptional results while protecting you from health risks.
The team of professionals at Attic Projects can install the attic insulation you need at rates that are much lower than you might expect. If you’re ready to take the first step, just reach out to us to get started!