My Attic Needs Insulation

Icicles may look pretty but they could also be a sign that something is seriously wrong with your roof.

My attic needs insulation.

Square footage of your attic. You can do it yourself for about 500. No matter what kind of insulation you currently have in your attic one quick way to determine if you need more is to look across the span of your attic. Find your zone on the map and then use the chart to determine the level of insulation you need to properly insulate your attic walls floors and crawlspaces.

R value is a measure of insulation s ability to resist heat traveling through it. There are four especially common signs of problems with attic insulation. Achieving greater r values in attics the higher the r value the better the thermal performance of the insulation. Insulation level are specified by r value.

Contractor or insulation installer s fee. The table below shows what levels of insulation are cost effective for different climates and locations in the home. There are many types to choose from including blown in cellulose batt such as fiberglass mineral wool or cotton. How much does attic insulation cost.

If your attic has enough insulation and proper air sealing and your home still feels drafty and cold in the winter or too warm in the summer chances are you need to add insulation to the exterior walls. Your home s r value score will guide you toward the type of insulation you need. The higher the r value the better the thermal performance of the insulation. If your insulation is just level with or below your floor joists i e you can easily see your joists you should add more.

In general an attic s r value should be between r 30 and r 49. After confirming that your attic is air sealed you need to select insulation. Your attic should have a certain amount of insulation in it and the recommended level of insulation for your attic is dependent on where you live. The main factors that impact the cost are.

Type and material of your insulation. If you need to add insulation in your attic save big by blowing in cellulose insulation yourself. In particularly cold climates you might go up to r 60. This is more expensive and usually requires a contractor but it may be worth the cost especially if you live in a very cold climate.

The pros charge 1 500 to 2 000 to do a 1 200 sq ft. Inspecting your attic insulation. If you notice one or more of these occurring you probably need to take action. Blown in insulation overview.