attic insulation product

10 Things to Know Before Getting New Attic Insulation

As the season’s change, half the world is heading into summer, while the other half is heading into winter. Is your attic insulation product is in good order?

Either way, people will be focusing on their energy bills soon.

Fortunately, there are some ways to save energy by keeping in warmth in the winter and keeping cool air inside during the summer. It all comes down to proper insulation.

What many people may not realize is that while their main living space may be adequately insulated, other areas of the home fall short. Your attic is likely one of those places.

Attic insulation Product is often overlooked. Because people rarely use their attic for anything other than storage, they don’t really care how comfortable it is. But your attic actually has a lot to do with your comfort level downstairs, too.

Because heat rises, in the winter the heated air running through your home can get lost as it moves up through the attic. And in the summer, all of the heat from your roof makes its way inside. It’s a vicious cycle.

But before you start insulating your attic, there are a few things to keep in mind.

A 10 Step Checklist for Attic Insulation

1. Check the Structural Integrity of Your Rafters

While insulating your attic will prevent heat loss in the winter, that added heat does have at least one benefit – snowmelt.

As previously stated, heat rises, meaning it will go up your house through the attic. If you’ve recently had a heavy snowfall, that added heat can actually melt the snow on your roof.

Snow is very heavy, so having that heat melt the snow takes a load off of your roof. Once that heat is taken away through insulation, the snow will stay on your roof until the sun thaws it.

If your rafters are old, sagging, or rotting, they may not be strong enough to hold the heavy snow. This is a major problem and can easily cause your roof to collapse. Make sure your rafters are up to code or reinforced before insulating.

2. Make Sure the Attic is Sealed

If you know of any leaks in the roof or anywhere around the attic, get those sealed first. They will be easier to find before you add the insulation, and it’s important to address those so you’re not wasting time looking for them later.

3. Get an Energy Audit

This can come before or after sealing the attic, depending on how confident you are in your ability to find leaks.

An energy audit is a good idea throughout the home to determine where you’re losing heat or cool air.

Once you know the problem areas, you can address them by sealing leaks and/or adding more insulation.

4. Move Stored Items and Pull Up the Plywood

It should go without saying, but if your attic is currently being used for storage, that’s going to have to change for the moment.

Get rid of all the old boxes and mementoes and get the place cleared. Not only will things get messy, they’ll be in the way.

You’ll also need to pull up any plywood or another flooring in order to get the insulation between the floor joists. You’re not just insulating the walls of the attic – you’re insulating the entire structure top to bottom.

Get everything cleared out ahead of time.

5. Install Vent Chutes

Installing vent chutes is one step many people miss in attic insulation.

It’s important to maintain air flow in the attic to remove heat and moisture from the surrounding air. Adding the appropriate vents at the eaves will allow for this air flow to occur.

If vents were already in place, check to make sure they’re in good condition and they aren’t blocked.

6. Establish Your Budget

As we know a good Attic Insulation product is a great way to reduce energy costs, but there are a lot of different options that carry different price tags.

Before you get started, do some research to see which materials and methods will fit in your budget.

Don’t get discouraged if the first option you find is over budget – there are plenty more. And remember that this will add value and comfort to your home.

7. Choose the Right Attic Insulation Product

Once you’ve established your budget, talk to professionals who can tell you which options will fit your budget and needs.

Different brands and materials have different advantages.

If you or a family member is prone to allergies, Isotherm insulation is dust-free and safe for allergies.

If you’re looking for an option that provides soundproofing as well (which can be great for corrugated metal roofs that can get loud during rainstorms), Aerolite insulation works well.

8. Hire a Pro or DIY?

If you’re on a strict budget and have experience with housework, you can probably get away with installing attic insulation on your own (with help from a friend or family member).

However, it’s always a good idea to at least reach out to an insulation professional who can point out things you may have missed.

Maybe your vents weren’t properly installed, or you missed a leak somewhere along the roof. A professional has a keen eye to look for these things and knows how to fix them.

Similarly, they can offer advice on the type of insulation that will work best in your home. It’s a big job, so you want it done right.

9. Set Aside a Few Days to Work

Whether you’re installing the attic insulation yourself or hiring a pro, make sure you clear a few days on the calendar just in case issues pop up.

It’s always possible you’ll find cracks in floor joists that you didn’t see before, or notice a pest infestation that was hidden by older insulation or other debris. These are all problems that will have to be solved before an insulating happens.

And if it’s a large attic space, applying the insulation alone will take time. So it’s best to plan for at least a weekend devoted to the task.

10. Apply the Insulation

Congratulations! By now you should be ready to get started applying the insulation itself. Make sure you have the proper protective gear like gloves, goggles, and face masks to keep things clean.

Even with dust-free options, you can never be too safe.

Finding an Attic Insulation Installer

As you begin looking for insulation professionals, search for those who are insured and licensed distributors. If you’re looking for a local insulation installer, check our coverage areas to find an installer near you. For a Free quote on our Attic Insulation Product Contact Us

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Roof Insulation
We are Roof Insulation and soundproofing specialists. With more than 30 years of experience in the thermal insulation industry. Our passion is educating homeowners about how to be energy efficient. To reduce our footprint on the planet. And reduce our impact on climate change and global warming.