When it comes to home improvements that give you the best return on your investment, attic insulation is about as effective as it gets. A well-insulated attic can stabilize indoor temperatures year-round, prevent ice dams from forming on the roof in winter, reduce home energy consumption, lower your monthly energy bills, and much more. Is your attic properly insulated? Some homeowners assume that insulating the attic is as simple as throwing some fiberglass up into the attic space; however, proper attic insulation requires a much more comprehensive approach. As the experts in attic insulation for Wayzata and the surrounding areas, we’ve put together an outline of how to effectively insulate your attic.
Audit/ Inspection
An important first step is knowing what your attic requires. Many attics contain air leaks and are under-insulated, relying on small amounts of older materials for insulation. An energy audit or attic inspection by trusted attic insulation professionals can reveal where air leaks and insulation gaps exist in your attic.
Proper Insulation Installation
Once you know what your attic needs, what kind of insulation should you choose? There are a few different options in attic insulation, all with different R-values. Understanding an insulation material’s R-value – a measure of how well it resists the flow of heat is important; the higher the number, the better the insulating power.
- Spray foam. Closed cell spray polyurethane foam (SPF) is a premium insulation perfectly suited for the attic. With a high R-value, it acts as a barrier to keep the indoors from the outside climate, creating thermal, air and moisture isolation. It can expand and reach hard-to-till voids that other insulation types are not able to do.
- Fiberglass and Cellulose Attic Insulation. These types of blown-in insulation have almost the same R-value, and they are both environmentally friendly. Cellulose is made out of recycled newspaper and fiberglass is made out of sand, both of which are renewable resources.
These types of insulation are great for filling in gaps and ensuring your entire attic is evenly insulated. The installation process is generally pretty quick, depending on the size of your attic.
Attic Ventilation
Once you have the right attic insulation installed, it’s important to ensure property attic ventilation as well. Proper attic ventilation, when combined with air sealing and professionally installed insulation, cools the attic down during warmer months, when heat might otherwise enter through the roof and accumulate in the attic. It also allows warm, moisture-filled air to escape the attic during colder months.
With the proper attic insulation from Lewis Insulation, not only could you see some savings on your heating and cooling bills, but you could also help lower your home’s carbon footprint as well. To learn more about attic insulation in Wayzata and the surrounding areas, call Lewis Insulation at 763-477-2612, or you can contact us to set up a Free Estimate.