Attic Insulation Facts

It is not often we do this but the following is quoted from a very helpful article that first appeared in the washington post in july 2017.

Attic insulation facts.

Asbestos insulation originated in ancient greece. The earliest form of insulation was during the middle ages when the walls of homes were stuffed with mud and straw to keep out the cold. Here are some fun facts about insulation from our heating and cooling service company. In most homes but especially in older homes adding insulation in the attic will cut heat loss.

With the baltimore area s humid summers and unpredictable winters good weatherization is essential for reliable comfort. For example loose fill insulation is calculated based on depth while blanket insulation is based on the number of batts or rolls you need. Where to insulate insulate your attic outer walls and crawl space first as these areas have the most heat transfer. If it doesn t have excellent intake air around the soffits it can actually vacuum air from inside your home.

Check with the local building department to find the recommended level for your area or visit energysavers gov. Although spray foam insulation has been in use since the 1940s primarily for aircraft for the past 30 years continual product innovation has seen the increased adoption of spray foam insulation in residential and commercial construction. Bulky materials resist conductive and to a lesser degree convective heat flow in a building cavity. This is a powered attic ventilation fan.

We offer our review of the three most popular types of attic insulation with a look at each one s pros and cons. Insulate your attic to the recommended level including the attic door or hatch cover. Powered attic fans attic insulation facts kitchen ventilation text. Insulation priorities it is most important to.

Your options for attic insulation range from radiant barriers to sheets of mineral wool but most homeowners stick with products made from cellulose or fiberglass. At a minimum homes should have attic insulation between r 22 and r 49 6 to 13 in. Of loose fill or 7 to 19 in. The rapid growth of sprayed foam insulation in building construction thanks in part to its immediate and long term.

Provide the recommended level of insulation under floors above unheated spaces around walls in a heated basement or unventilated crawl space and on the edges of slabs on grade. Insulation materials run the gamut from bulky fiber materials such as fiberglass rock and slag wool cellulose and natural fibers to rigid foam boards to sleek foils. Rigid foam boards trap air or another gas to resist conductive heat flow.