How To Add Extra Insulation To The Attic

To determine whether you should add insulation.

How to add extra insulation to the attic.

An adequately insulated attic reduces your home s energy costs by keeping warm air in during the winter and hot air out during the summer. Affix rigid foam insulation to the attic side of the hatch or door. Attic hatch or door. To install fiberglass batts over existing insulation lay the batts perpendicular to the joists so they do not compress the insulation below.

Multiply the number of inches of insulation by the r value per inch. Add the right kind of insulation. Faced insulation should not be placed on top of existing insulation in the attic. Use a zippered insulated tent to keep the enclosure draft free attic tent at 7 attic cover insulator 120.

Department of energy fibgerglass batts have an r value of 3 2 per inch while loose fill fiberglass. Expect to pay an additional 85 per hour for this service. Inspecting and evaluating your insulation. You can do it yourself for about 500.

If your rigid metal ductwork has any insulation it may already have enough. Whether you live in a warm weather state as i do or in a cooler northern climate it s hard to stay comfortable and keep your energy bills in check if you don t have adequate insulation in the attic. Check the attic walls and floors adjacent to an unheated space like a garage or basement. Before you call a contractor however it s important to understand the options and costs involved.

How to add extra insulation to an attic. When adding additional insulation you do not have to use the same type of insulation that currently exists in your attic. Thickness must not be used as the sole factor in determining the r value of loose fill insulation particularly for attic insulation. Consider adding more insulation as ductwork is farther from the furnace.

The cost and effort to add more insulation is minimal. The recommended level for most attics is to insulate to r 38 or about 10 to 14 inches depending on insulation type. You can add loose fill on top of fiberglass batts or blankets and vice. Blown in insulation overview.

The pros charge 1 500 to 2 000 to do a 1 200 sq ft. If you need to add insulation in your attic save big by blowing in cellulose insulation yourself. Any new batt or roll insulation installed over existing insulation in the attic needs to be without a vapor retarder face. The vapor retarder on top of or between layers of insulation can trap moisture.

Pull down stair or ladder. Add weatherstripping around the perimeter and a sweep to the door of a walk up attic. How much does attic insulation cost. Blowing attic insulation isn t hard but it s dusty sweaty work.