This is important because if you compress your insulation, or squash it down, this will reduce your insulation's performance by more than 50%. This leads to greater energy and heat loss through your roof. As a result, you will experience more expensive energy bills.
What Happens If You Compress Blown-In Insulation? Like batts, compressing blown-in fiberglass insulation improves the R-value per square inch while diminishing the overall R-value. Also like fiberglass batts, some amount of compression is OK if the cavity is completely filled.
Squashing Reduces Thermal Performance: Compressing insulation can decrease its ability to trap air and prevent heat from escaping. Studies have shown that squashing insulation from 270mm down to 100mm will reduce its performance by over 50% significantly affecting your home's energy efficiency.
Squashing your insulation reduces its effectiveness by 50%
Numerous studies on the topic have indicated that there's a huge number of Britons who don't understand why doing this is so problematic. Mineral wool type insulation (the most common loft insulation) needs to retain its full depth in order to work effectively.
Make sure you don't squash the mineral wool when you fit the boards on top, as this will reduce its insulation value.
Removing old insulation is generally recommended if it's damaged, contaminated with mold, or infested with pests. However, if the insulation is in decent shape and just needs a boost, adding a new layer on top can be a cost-effective option.
Cutting our slabs is simple, using a sharp, long-bladed knife or insulation saw. Accurately measure out how much you need to cut to avoid leaving gaps. Don't squash down any existing insulation.
This type of insulation is great for improving thermal efficiency within the home and reduction of energy bills. External Wall Insulation: Often comprising EPS or mineral wool, external wall insulation can have a lifespan of 30-50 years, providing robust thermal protection.
Too much insulation will leave humidity and moisture to accumulate in your attic space. This can lead to mold growth on your walls and insulation. There might also be water damage to the support beams in your home's roof.
Starting at the eaves, lay the loft roll down leaving a 25mm gap from the eaves. Gently fluff the insulation up as you go to help it reach its maximum depth. If you run out of roll, gently push the new roll of insulation up against the previous roll for a snug fit.
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.
Proper loft insulation obviously keeps your home warmer in winter. But it can also keep your home cooler in summer, especially in upstairs rooms. By reducing the heat loss through your roof, your home will heat up quicker and stay warmer for longer.
While fiber glass insulation can be compressed below labeled thickness and still achieve Grade I installation, manufacturers' instructions specify installation without compression to achieve labeled R-value.
Moisture damage
This can occur due to leaks in the roof or foundation, inadequate ventilation, or high humidity levels inside a building. Moisture can cause the insulation material to become compressed and lose its effectiveness, leading to increased energy consumption and potential mold growth.
You will want to bring up your attic up to R-38:
If your attic has 5-6″ of existing insulation, you'll want to install an R-19 to achieve a total of R-38.
Can I put plywood over insulation in the attic? Yes you can install plywood subflooring directly over the floor joists and insulation on your floor. You need to install rigid insulation boards on top of the attic flooring joists and then install plywood over the top.
There comes a point where too much insulation starts to have a negative effect — financially, environmentally, and in terms of the longevity of your home. So yes, it is possible to over-insulate your house.
Also, when laying down additional insulation, work from the perimeter toward the attic opening. Never lay insulation over recessed light fixtures or soffit vents. Keep all insulation at least 3 inches away from recessed "can" lights, unless they are rated IC (Insulated Ceiling).
As such, stone wool insulation will not contribute to the growth of mold, mildew, bacteria or rot. It will instead resist mold, helping to preserve indoor air quality (IAQ) for occupants of the home or building.
However, insulation can start falling from fiberglass batts after 15 to 20 years, so if your insulation was installed in batts well over a decade ago, it might be time for an inspection or a home energy audit.
Attic insulation costs anywhere from $1,680 to $3,125, depending on the size of your attic and the material used. On average, most homeowners shell out around $2,380. These costs include the insulation materials and installation by a professional.
Rockwool is not as serious a threat as asbestos, but it is still unhealthy. Rockwool has a high pH and nutrient solutions must be adjusted to accommodate for that factor. It is also susceptible to pH shifts which creates the need to continuously monitor the ph Levels of your system.
If installing ROCKWOOL products on existing insulation, ensure it is not squashed or slumped. It should keep its thickness as ROCKWOOL stone wool insulation does not distort or degrade if installed properly according to spec.
While mice's teeth are strong enough to chew through any material, they dislike chewing through thin aluminum sheets because its sharpness harms their mouths while chewing. Rockwool is a rodent's favorite because it creates a great nest that provides warmth during cold winter nights.