Yes, having too much roof insulation can be bad. While it is rare to get "too much" in terms of raw energy savings, excessive or improperly installed insulation can block essential airflow, trap moisture, and create heat traps.
The optimal R-value for most homes is 30, but you can go as high as 38 if you live in a tropical climate. Anything higher than 38 indicates an over-insulated space.
Firstly, over-insulation can lead to poor ventilation in the attic, which can cause moisture buildup and increase the risk of mould growth. This can be particularly problematic if the insulation is installed over existing ventilation points, as it can block airflow and prevent moisture from escaping.
Direct contact with fiberglass or breathing airborne dust containing fiberglass may irritate the skin, eyes, nose, and throat. The symptoms of irritation are often nonspecific, temporary, and may include itching, coughing, or wheezing.
You do not always need to remove old insulation. If it is dry, undamaged, and free of pests, it is often perfectly fine (and more budget-friendly) to simply add a new layer on top to boost your home’s energy efficiency.
Installing new insulation over old is a viable option for keeping your home warm in the winter and cool in the summer. However, the current insulation must be in good condition. It's vital that a professional insulation technician inspect your current insulation before adding another layer.
Mice are curious and always searching for safe, snug, and warm nesting sites. Attics filled with blown-in insulation provide an excellent option–from the mice's point of view. As long as there is a ready food source. Mice are omnivorous and will eat and chew on almost anything including wood and electrical wires.
Most insulation health risks stem from inhaling airborne fibers, chemical off-gassing, or mold exposure. Common symptoms include skin, eye, and throat irritation. While undisturbed insulation is generally safe, damaged or incorrectly handled materials require proper protective equipment or professional removal.
Because spray foam can trap moisture, hide the condition of the roof, make it difficult for surveyors to inspect, which means risks like timber decay, dry rot, and not forgetting increased fire risk. If you've got it or you're buying a property that does, this is something you need to know upfront.
Skin irritation: Touching exposed insulation can send particles in the air, irritating your skin. Eye irritation: Fiberglass particles can also irritate your eyes. Lung irritation: Breathing in fiberglass insulation is dangerous because it can cause respiratory issues.
Whole-house insulation is usually a one- to two-day process, not a long renovation. Work is staged by area to keep the project efficient: Attic insulation and air sealing.
Unfaced insulation is great for new construction, remodels, walls, floors, ceilings, basements, attics and crawlspaces. It's best used for interior wall applications that do not face the outside and also in rooms that don't need moisture control, like living rooms, dining rooms and studies.
You may realize you've over-insulated your attic if you notice any of these signs:
The short answer is no. In fact, it's highly recommended to add as much insulation as possible in your attic to prevent heat loss. The reason for this is due to the laws of physics. Heat always travels to cooler areas, and in your home, that means heat travels up and out through your roof.
Professional attic insulation for a 2000 square foot space typically costs between $3,600 to $9,200, with most homeowners investing around $5,800 for quality installation. Current market rates range from $1.80 to $4.60 per square foot for materials, while premium spray foam options can cost more.
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.
The healthiest, non-toxic insulation for your home is natural sheep's wool or hemp insulation. These materials contain no chemical binders or formaldehyde, actively regulate indoor humidity to prevent mold, and do not off-gas.
Closed cell spray foam is rigid once set. It is a better thermal insulator and was previously sold to stabilise failing roofs. But if it has been used inappropriately or installed poorly, it might put stress on timbers, restrict air circulation and put them at risk of decaying.
Foam insulation is a common target because it's easy for them to chew through. The material offers little resistance, allowing mice to create tunnels or nests within the insulation. But mice aren't just interested in chewing for the sake of it—they're also drawn to the warmth and shelter insulation provides.
When inhaled, insulation dust and particles can irritate your throat and lungs, leading to coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath. However, the severity of the lung risk depends entirely on the type of insulation, the duration of your exposure, and whether it is disturbed.
While you can physically touch fiberglass insulation with bare hands, you should never do it intentionally. Fiberglass is made of spun glass fibers that break off easily. Touching them causes microscopic glass shards to embed themselves in your skin, leading to severe, irritating itching, and sometimes a rash.
For example in an attic insulated to R49 (R-Value) the cellulose insulation material will settle about an inch and half. Industry, as well as internal Fiberlite research, suggests this occurs within the first 48-72 hours after the material is installed into an attic.
The Amish control mice through non-chemical, self-sustaining methods, relying on active trapping, natural scent repellents, and structural exclusion. Rather than using commercial poisons, they focus on physical barriers and natural predators to keep rodent populations in check.
The ultimate "number one" mice killer depends on your specific needs—whether you prefer fast-acting poison or a safe, pet-friendly option.
Mice are unlikely to climb on you when you sleep unless they are already in the bedroom. The best way to keep them out is by not giving them a reason to stay.