Looking across your attic, if the insulation is level with or below the attic floor joists, you probably need to add more insulation. If you cannot see any of the floor joists because the insulation is well above them, you probably have enough, and adding more insulation may not be cost-effective.
Cold Rooms, Walls, and Floors
If you find that a few of the rooms in your house are colder than the others, or if the ceiling and interior walls are cool when you touch them, it is a sign of improper insulation.
Measuring Insulation Levels
Since most common insulation types (fiberglass, cellulose, mineral wool) have an R-value of about 3 – 3.5 per inch it is easy to estimate how much R-value the insulation your attic currently has. Just take the depth in inches x 3 to get an estimated value.
Increased Humidity and Moisture
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.
When a home has inadequate insulation in the attic, a lot of air is lost through the roof. Energy bills skyrocket, and it's impossible to keep the temperature in the house regulated.
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).
If you're wondering what bad insulation looks like, check to see if it is moldy, wet, or discolored. It may be unevenly dispersed and thin in areas.
Conclusion. Attic insulation can last 80 to 100 years, though it loses its energy efficiency benefits with time. Certified attic specialists' professional advice is to upgrade it every 15 years to ensure that it is still performing the job.
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.
Inspecting and Evaluating Your Insulation
Inspect the exterior walls by using an electrical outlet: Turn off the power to the outlet. Remove the outlet cover and shine a flashlight into the crack around the outlet box. You should be able to see if there is insulation in the wall and possibly how thick it is.
The short answer, yes, insulating the attic is an effective way to keep your home cooler during the summer months. While it's a given that the insulation in your attic will keep the home warmer during the winter, it isn't immediately obvious that insulation can also help to keep the home comfortable during the summer.
Another sign your attic insulation is contributing to heating issues in your home is if you notice different temperature zones throughout the house. If your downstairs living room is a comfortably warm temperature while your upstairs master bedroom is freezing, there's a good chance your attic insulation is lacking.
Besides safety concerns, installation inexperience can result in insulation mistakes that can affect both the quality of your insulation and installation. Improper placement can leave gaps and cause energy loss, lessening the insulation's lifespan.
While loft insulation is an effective way to improve energy efficiency and reduce heating costs, over-insulating can lead to several potential issues. Firstly, over-insulation can lead to poor ventilation in the attic, which can cause moisture buildup and increase the risk of mould growth.
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.
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.
Missing insulation allows either heat or cold to infiltrate, which shows as hot or cold spots on your walls or ceiling when viewed by a thermal camera. You can easily detect areas of missing insulation by walking around your house with a thermal imager and looking for temperature differences.
Fiberglass batt is considered to be the best insulation for attics. Compared to other insulation materials, it is the cheapest and easiest to install.