The most effective places to add insulation to older homes are exterior walls attics basements and crawl spaces.
Best attic insulation rating.
If you don t have hvac and ducts in the attic spray foam on the roofline isn t really necessary.
Handy homeowners can install blown in insulation in the attic.
Other considerations may include indoor air quality impacts life cycle costs recycled content embodied energy and ease of installation especially if you plan to do the.
Achieving greater r values in attics the higher the r value the better the thermal performance of the insulation.
Some installations can yield a higher r value than traditional batt insulation for the same thickness and can fill even the smallest cavities creating an effective air barrier.
So it s time to pay close attention to what s happening up there.
R values vary based on the type thickness and density of the material being used.
Foam in place insulation can be blown into walls on attic surfaces or under floors to insulate and reduce air leakage.
Both can be added to uninsulated attics or layered over existing material.
Blowing insulation into walls is best left to the pros because it involves drilling into stud spaces that may contain electrical.
Loose fill or batt the common term for blanket insulation.
The higher the r value the better the thermal performance of the insulation.
Now that you ve air sealed your attic and basement check your attic insulation levels and add more if necessary.
Once you ve decided which type is best for you examine the material options and prices to home in on the right product.
Find your zone on the map and then use the chart to determine the level of insulation you need to properly insulate your attic walls floors and crawlspaces.
To choose the best insulation for your home from the many types of insulation on the market you ll need to know where you want or need to install the insulation and what r value you want the installation to achieve.
I d blow insulation on the attic floor after air sealing of course.
The big disadvantage with spray foam is cost.
The table below shows what levels of insulation are cost effective for different climates and locations in the home.
Insulation level are specified by r value.
The attic is the easiest place to add insulation to improve your comfort and the energy efficiency of your home.
R value is a measure of insulation s ability to resist heat traveling through it.
Insulation with a higher r value will perform better than insulation with a lower rating.
