Attic insulation is very useful in all kinds of climates. During summer, it blocks the heat from getting into your home. This means that you will have to spend less money on air conditioning. Meanwhile, during winter, it prevents ice damming from happening.

Ice damming is the buildup of ice that occurs on roof edges and gutters during wintertime. This happens when the heat from your attic and the sun melts the snow deposit on your roof. As the melted snow drips to roof edges and gutters, it freezes once again. This can cause significant damage to your roof, attic, and even on your walls. Attic insulation stops the warm air from rising up and prevents the snow from melting in the first place.

Do You Have Too Much Attic Insulation?

Attic insulation is useful, but you may be wondering if you can have too much of it. In this article, Morconnect will address some of your misconceptions about attic insulation.

In general, it is better to have more attic insulation than less. After all, the purpose of insulation is to keep heat sealed in. Having more insulation also leads to better heat retention. A lot of insulation may leave your house a little too warm but it isn’t that big of a problem. You can solve this by opening a window or turning down the house heater. The latter can even help you cut down on heating costs.

But, there comes a point when you can have an over-insulated attic. Too much insulation can cause moisture buildup. This can affect your electrical system and indoor fixtures. Excessive moisture also creates a breeding ground for harmful mold and mildew. To avoid this, it is important to make sure that your attic is well-ventilated. 

The benefits of attic insulation outweigh the risks of having an over-insulated attic. If you still haven’t applied attic insulation and you want to do so now, read on. We will also be teaching you how you can put insulation in your attic by yourself.

Types of Attic Insulation

There are two main types of attic insulation — loose-fill and blanket insulation. Both are great options and are well-suited for specific kinds of attics. Loose-fill works best for low-clearance attics and attics with several obstructions. It is also suitable for attics with uneven joint spacing. Loose-fill is a better choice if you know how to work with power equipment.

Blanket insulation is more suited for high-clearance attics and attics without any obstructions. It is also perfect for attics with standard joist spacing. You do not need any power equipment when applying blanket insulation. But, you will need to cut the material to work around attic obstructions.

After choosing the type of insulation, you will have to select which material to use for your attic. For loose-fill, you can use fiberglass, cellulose, or mineral wool. You can also use the same materials together with cotton for blanket insulation. Then, you will have to measure how much insulation your attic currently has. Take note that you have to get rid of existing insulation that has gone bad.

How To Check Your Attic Insulation?

You can measure the efficiency of the insulation using its R-value. R-values rate the ability of insulation materials in handling heat flow. In general, the higher the R-value, the better the insulation. In Ontario, the recommended R-value is R50 to R60. This means that the thickness of attic insulation of homes in the area is approximately 15 to 22 inches.

Before applying your attic insulation, it is important to first get rid of air leaks and roof leaks. Both can make insulation less effective and even useless. It is also important to use personal protective equipment when insulating your attic. These include gloves, goggles, dust masks, and long clothes. You also need to stand on stable surfaces, not on the joists themselves. Having a well-light working space can also help you to avoid any injury.

Conclusion

You can install attic insulation by yourself, but it is still better to have professionals do the job. HVAC experts like the ones at Morconnect can help you with all your attic insulation needs.