However, installing too much insulation can backfire. Excess insulation in the attic can make a house too tightly sealed and block vents.
The answer is yes! Past a certain point, insulation in a vented attic will do more harm than good. In most of the United States, achieving an R-Value of 38 is more than sufficient. In the temperate Southern California region, an R-Value of 30 tends to be ideal.
Insulation levels are specified by R-Value. R-Value is a measure of insulation's ability to resist heat flow. The higher the R-Value, the better the thermal performance of the insulation. The recommended level for most attics is to insulate to R-38 or about 10 to 14 inches, depending on insulation type.
If there isn't any water damage or signs of insect or rodent-infestation, you can get by not having attic insulation removal done. Now, if you see a lot of dust around the air registers in your house or you're concerned about the air quality, you should have attic insulation removal service performed.
In many cases you can add new insulation on top of old insulation, unless the old insulation is wet, mouldy, or vermiculite. If the old insulation is dry but appears to have previously been wet, you should look for the cause and repair the problem.
Most forms of insulation can last for decades under ideal conditions. However, various issues inside your home can make retrofitting or replacement necessary much sooner. Some homes have the original insulation for upwards of a century, while others may require upgraded insulation in as little as 15 years.
Effective ceiling insulation is the best barrier against the summer heat and the winter cold, saving you up to 20% on your heating and cooling energy costs.
Batt insulation is a type of insulation blanket. These are pre-cut sections of insulation that are usually fiberglass, although cellulose, mineral wool, natural fibers and plastic versions are also available. This type of insulation is the best insulation for unfinished walls, floors and ceilings.
As a general rule, vapour impermeable foam (any foam) on the outside of the studs should be twice as much as the fibrous insulation included in the stud bay, this is known as the 1/3 : 2/3 rule. So, if we had R2. 7 glass wool in the stud bays then we need R5. 4 foam on the outside of the studs (Total R8.
Many of us know what causes mould; when moisture is trapped in the rooms of you home. Sometimes, there is insufficient insulation in the walls, so mould grows. However, not many people realise that additional insulation isn't always the answer. In fact, too much insulation can be the secret cause of mould.
Here, where temps get pretty hot for much of the year, attics should have from R30 to R60 (average is R38). Those living up north want anything from R49 to R60. This helps insulate against the extreme cold weather. The more insulation you use, the better insulated your home will be.
If you're concerned about having a positive impact on the environment, fiberglass batt is probably the best insulation option for your attic. That's because it's made of recycled sand and glass. Its composition also makes it light-weight and flame-resistant.
Fiberglass insulation typically needs to be replaced 15-20 years into it's life, as it can easily become dirty, wet, moldy, and ineffective if there's a roof leak or water damage of any kind.
So, does attic insulation affect whole-home comfort in the winter? The answer is Yes! Attic insulation is a great place to start if you want your home to stay warm during the bitter cold and keep your family comfortable. This insulation also helps during the hotter months of the year.
Most climates require a vapor barrier to cover ceiling insulation, but not all insulation requires a vapor barrier. It's always important to refer to your state's building codes.
Both roof and ceiling insulation are great options for insulating your home, but which one is best for you? Ceiling insulation can be easier to install than roof insulation, as access to the roof can often be more difficult. Additionally, insulating your roof requires more planning to accommodate different roof types.
If you were on a very skinny budget and had to make a choice, you would insulate your ceiling first. Installing ceiling insulation can save around 35% on heating and cooling energy. Compare this to insulating your walls. Insulating your walls saves around 15% on heating and cooling energy.
In addition to walls and attics, insulation should be installed in ceilings with unheated spaces, basement walls, floors above vented crawl spaces, cathedral ceilings, floors over unheated garages or porches, knee walls, and in between interior walls—especially bathrooms—as well as ceilings and floors.
It is possible to over-insulate your house so much that it can't breathe. The whole point of home insulation is to tightly seal your home's interior. But if it becomes too tightly sealed with too many layers of insulation, moisture can get trapped inside those layers. That's when mold starts to grow.
5% of Your Home's Lost Heat is Through Ceilings
The US Department of Energy suggests measuring the thickness of the insulation.
You need to use a product that can get behind the drywall and guarantee that the space will be filled, without damaging the wall. One of the best products on the market for this is spray foam insulation. A product that is hassle-free, mess-free, and can actually do the job right.
Increases Strain on Your HVAC System
All of the time and work that your HVAC system puts into heating your home is wasted if you have roof insulation because the heat gets lost in the attic. You'll end up paying significantly more on your energy bills, and your HVAC's life span will be shorter.
Fiberglass Insulation
Over time, given the right conditions, mold can grow in fiberglass. Some forms of fiberglass insulation can be covered or “faced” with paper products. This paper is often a food source for mold and can be a problem if installed directly against wet areas (like basement or crawlspace walls).