My Attic Needs Insulation

Contractor or insulation installer s fee.

My attic needs insulation.

Icicles may look pretty but they could also be a sign that something is seriously wrong with your roof. Blown in insulation overview. If you notice one or more of these occurring you probably need to take action. First things first you need to go up into your attic inspect the condition of the insulation and calculate the current level of insulation.

The higher the r value the better the thermal performance of the insulation. 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. Inspecting your attic insulation. 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.

R value is a measure of insulation s ability to resist heat traveling through it. The pros charge 1 500 to 2 000 to do a 1 200 sq ft. 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. In particularly cold climates you might go up to r 60.

According to home advisor insulating your attic can cost between 1700 to 2100. If you need to add insulation in your attic save big by blowing in cellulose insulation yourself. If your insulation is just level with or below your floor joists i e you can easily see your joists you should add more. Achieving greater r values in attics the higher the r value the better the thermal performance of the insulation.

You can do it yourself for about 500. Type and material of your insulation. Common signs of problems with insulation. There are four especially common signs of problems with attic insulation.

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. In general an attic s r value should be between r 30 and r 49. Insulation level are specified by r value.

The table below shows what levels of insulation are cost effective for different climates and locations in the home. After confirming that your attic is air sealed you need to select insulation. Your home s r value score will guide you toward the type of insulation you need. 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.