Determine Need For Attic Insulation

If your insulation level is at or below the top of the floor joists you probably need to add more insulation but remember to seal the air leaks before you insulate.

Determine need for attic insulation.

Insulation levels are specified by r value. 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. Loose fill insulation fibers are packaged in bags and blown in place to the desired depth and density using special. If you can t see the joists because the insulation is above them then you should measure the insulation depth with a ruler to see if you have enough.

Choose your insulation type and material 1. Achieving greater r values in attics the higher the r value the better the thermal performance of the insulation. R value is a measure of insulation s ability to resist heat flow. In particularly cold climates you might go up to r 60.

Inspecting your attic insulation will help you determine your insulation needs. According to the u s. Let s say the insulation you ve selected has an r value of three per inch and. Department of energy it s recommended that attics have an r 38 to r 49 or about 12 to 15 of fiberglass or cellulose insulation.

To view the next video in this series click here. There are four especially common signs of problems with attic insulation. Click the button to calculate the amount of insulation in square feet and man hours wall and ceiling fiberglass insulation needed for this job. The correct amount can help maintain a comfortable temperature and save money.

If you notice one or more of these occurring you probably need to take action. Common signs of problems with insulation. A quick way to see if you need more insulation is to look across your attic floor. If you think you re among the 90 of us homes that are under insulated 1 performing a simple insulation inspection will help you determine your insulation needs.

Use unfaced insulation when adding more insulation to an attic that already has some insulation laying the rolls or batts at right angles to the floor joists. The higher the r value the better the thermal performance of the insulation. In general an attic s r value should be between r 30 and r 49. This calculator is to be used as an estimating tool only.