How To Add More Insulation To Your Attic

But if the floor is covered in plywood you can t stuff enough insulation beneath it to do the job sufficiently not even in warm climates.

How to add more insulation to your attic.

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. You can add loose fill on top of fiberglass batts or blankets and vice versa. The way your attic retains or releases heat can affect your entire house and implementing a simple set of solutions can make your attic more energy efficient. It needs to be unfaced.

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. Because the simplest and cheapest way to insulate an attic is to add material to the floor. 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. If you use fiberglass over loose fill make sure the fiberglass batt has no paper or foil backing.

From the drywall depending on the insulation type. Block all vents in the attic floor with baffles making sure to extend the baffles at least four inches above the planned thickness of your insulation. Unless your home was specially constructed for energy efficiency you can probably reduce your energy bills by adding more insulation. First things first you need to go up into your attic inspect the condition of the insulation and calculate the current level of insulation.

When adding additional insulation you do not have to use the same type of insulation that currently exists in your attic. Use the insulation calculator to plug in your zip code lifestyle factors building design energy costs and budget to get a detailed recommendation. The recommended ceiling insulation level for most attics is r 38 or about 12 to 15 in. Wear a long sleeve shirt gloves eye protection and a dust mask.

Energy efficient insulation while an important consideration is actually only one solution to attic heating and cooling issues. Inspecting your attic insulation. Many older homes have less insulation than homes built today but even adding insulation to a newer home can pay for itself within a few years.