We all know that hot air rises and so will your energy bill if your attic isn’t properly insulated. According to the HSA Home Warranty, an attic that isn’t insulated properly can experience 25% heat loss during the winter and fall. That’s a quarter of your heating costs going toward energy that isn’t even keeping your home cozy.
Investing in a high-quality attic will keep your home cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter. It can be challenging to know the best insulation for an attic. There are many types to choose from, each with pros and cons.
Our home insulation guide will give you our top tips and tricks on choosing the types of attic insulation for your home. We’ll cover the most common types and whether or not they’d be a good option for your home.
Understanding the R-Value of Insulation
One of the main things to keep in mind when looking for energy-efficient insulation is its R-value. The insulation’s R-value measures the hot air the insulation keeps in your home.
The higher the R-value, the more insulated your home will be. You’ll also experience less energy loss with a higher R-value. The recommended R-value for your home depends on various factors, such as:
- The area you’re insulating
- Your climate zone
- Where you live
For example, attics in Georgia should have an R-value of R30 to R60. You’ll need to keep that number in mind when exploring different types of insulation for your attic.
Exploring the Best Insulation for an Attic
What’s considered the best insulation for an attic depends a lot on what your definition of “best” is. The highest-performing product to insulate your attic doesn’t always translate to the most affordable option.
The four common types of insulation for attics include:
- Fiberglass batt
- Loose-fill fiberglass
- Spray foam
- Cellulose
While there are other kinds of insulation available, these are the ones that most frequently appear in attics.
Fiberglass Batt
Fiberglass batt insulation is considered the most common type of attic insulation. A few benefits of this type of insulation include:
- Energy efficient
- Easy to install
- Cost-effective
Another advantage of fiberglass batt insulation is that it can improve your home’s air quality by preventing unwanted particles and pollutants from entering your house. You can explore the mold and mildew-resistant forms of this insulation to prevent those substances from growing in your attic space.
This type of insulation is commonly used by homeowners because they can purchase a roll at their local hardware store and roll it out in their attic. However, a few things to keep in mind if you’re exploring fiberglass batt insulation include:
- Can irritate the lungs and skin
- Not as effective at retaining heat as other options
Loose-Fill Fiberglass
Loose-fill’s R-value is around 2.5 per inch. You’ll see it commonly used in new-build homes. Builders need a big machine to blow this insulation into attic spaces.
Insulation specialists need to wear a respirator when blowing fiberglass insulation in. That’s because this type of insulation can bother your lungs more than other kinds.
Spray Foam
Spray foam insulation offers exceptional performance for attic spaces. There are two types of spray foam insulation:
- Open-cell
- Closed-cell
Open-cell spray foam has a R-value of 6.5 per inch. Closed-cell spray foam’s R-value is 3.6 per inch.
What we love about this insulation is that when sprayed in, it can fill all the nooks and crannies in attics. It creates the ideal air barrier for keeping your home insulated.
Cellulose
Cellulose is comprised of various materials. These can include:
- Ground-up paper
- Boric acid
One of the great things about these materials is that they provide fire resistance and insect control. Like with loose-fill fiberglass, this insulation gets blown into your attic. It does create a lot of dust, but insulation experts use a bit of water to keep dust levels low.
The R-value of cellulose insulation is a bit higher than other kinds with its value being around 3.5 per inch. The dense material stops air movement, which can prevent frost from accumulating in the winter.
Things to Consider When Choosing Attic Insulation
As you can see, there are many factors to keep in mind when choosing insulation for your attic. Not all insulation is created equal. You want to ensure that you’re not wasting your money and investing in something that won’t keep your home secure.
Your Climate
The climate of the area where you live affects the kind of insulation you install. That’s because the climate can determine how well your insulation works. It can also play a part in the way it keeps your home comfortable.
The goal of insulation is to keep the warm or cool air your HVAC system is producing inside your home. On top of that, you want the insulation to keep the temperature outside from affecting what’s going on in your house.
Existing Insulation
There are some cases where you can install new insulation over old. There are a few elements you should think about before doing so, such as if the insulation is:
- Moldy
- Wet
- Vermiculite
Vermiculite insulation needs to be tested for harmful chemicals, such as asbestos. A professional will have to remove that insulation before your new materials can get installed. Spray foam installation will also have to be removed before you can have any new insulation put in.
Environmental Impact
You may not realize that insulation can have an impact on the environment in several ways. Common ways include:
- Reducing energy use
- Decreasing pollution
- Using recycled materials
- Improving your home’s air quality
If suitability and eco-friendly products are important to you, you should explore insulation types that cater to those elements.
Contact Anthem Insulation & Home for Your Insulation Needs in Georgia
Determining the best insulation for an attic depends on numerous factors. Keeping your home comfortable during every season and your energy bills low is of the utmost importance. Upgrading your insulation can majorly contribute to attic energy saving.
The experts at Anthem Insulation & Home are here to help restore your family’s comfort and provide you with attic insulation tips. We offer numerous services, including insulation solutions, wildlife prevention, and insulation removal. Reach out to our office to schedule a consultation in Woodstock, GA.
