About Attic Insulation

Attic Insulation Reduces Electricity Bills

Attic insulation is an effective way to reduce electricity bills. It also increases the value of your house. The following tips will help you perform proper insulation in the attic of your house.

1. Selection of appropriate attic insulation type and its R-value is important. Therefore, enough information should be gathered about the building design, its climate and your budget. The insulation should be at least 9.5 to 12 inches within an R-value of R-30 or R-38 respectively.

2. The attic insulation should not only meet your requirements but it should also be in your budget range. Most commonly used insulation types are fiberglass batt, cellulose, and spray foam insulation.

3. Fiberglass batt insulation uses long insulation stripes and is very easy to install. You can give it any color.

4. Cellulose attic insulation can be blown inside covering and it provides good coverage for even smallest spaces. Also, it is available in the form of Insulation bags. One can apply it with the help of insulation blower.

5. Spray foam attic insulation works by expanding and stretching. It covers small gaps, openings, holes and cracks effectively. Specialized tools are required to apply spray foam insulation.

6. Increasing insulation from 3 to 12 inches can save up to 20 percent of the energy bills. Also, it is advisable to use high density insulation for exterior walls.

7. Maximum air flow can be ensured by installing attic vents along with the entire ceiling cavity. If there is insulation underneath the roof then do not ventilate your attic. The best option is to consult a professional.

8. Place insulation nearby light fixtures as it is the main source of heat loss. It must be applied 4 to 5 inches away from recessed lighting fixtures. The exhaust fans, pipes, boundaries, lighting fixtures, soffit vents, chimneys and framings should be sealed outside of the attic.

9. Be careful while installing insulation in your attic. Read the manuals thoroughly. Follow all precautionary measures mentioned and always wear proper gear while applying attic insulation. Hire specialized and experienced professionals if you want to apply cellulose attic or spray foam insulations.

10. If the insulation is lifted from any place then replace it immediately or fix it properly.

11. Do not block soffit vents. This ensures attic ventilation.

12. Repair all leaks before starting insulation procedure. This will help your attic insulation work effectively.

13. Properly cover the attic trap or access door.

Environmentally Friendly Roof Insulation

Everyone knows the importance of roof insulation, especially if you live in areas of extreme temperatures - hot or cold. Roof insulation can drastically reduce heating or air conditioning needs, which will save you money and help the environment by reducing the amount greenhouse gasses released, not to mention keeping you and your family more comfortable.

Upping the ante on your roofing insulation will cost you a little up front, but the amount of money you save in heating and cooling costs will quickly offset your investment. Most people are familiar with the old standby, fiberglass insulation. Typically produced in rolls or "batts," these fiberglass materials can cause itchy skin and respiratory irritation. The production process of fiberglass insulation is distinctly NOT environmentally friendly and often uses cancer-causing chemicals including formaldehyde. Fiberglass insulation is fire-resistant (a good thing) but when it does burn, it releases a number of toxic substances.

So what other roof insulation options do you have, that may be better for you, your family, and the planet? There are several available now and more new "green" insulation technologies being developed currently.

Cellulose Fiber Insulation

Recycled cellulose fiber is made from old newspaper, cardboard, and a variety of other post-consumer recycled paper products. This product is typically sprayed into the attic of the home or it may be purchased in sheets. This product has significant insulating properties, so it will save you more money than traditional fiberglass batts. In addition to being a very green roof insulation option, cellulose fiber insulation is treated with a very effective (and typically environmentally friendly) fire retardant that may actually slow the spread of fire. This product also has sound dampening qualities to cut down on outside noise and it is treated with a product that deters mice, rats, and other such vermin that like nesting in your attic. This product is slightly higher in cost but yields much higher energy savings.

Recycled Denim

Remember that favorite pair of blue jeans you had in high school? Wouldn't it be awesome to know your old stand-bys are now keeping some nice family comfortable? Denim and other cotton products are now being repurposed as roof insulation. Much like cellulose insulation products, recycled cotton insulation comes in rolls, making it much easier to do DIY installation in your attic. This product is soft and doesn't irritate skin or respiratory systems (much like your old jeans!). This product is also resistant to fire and vermin, and is an excellent sound barrier. The insulating properties of recycled denim are excellent as well. Recycled denim insulation is typically composed of about 80% recycled materials.

Soy Insulation

Roof insulation made from soy is a relatively new addition to the green roof insulation scene. This product is made from soybean oil and is applied using a spray-in technique. Once there, it expands like foam to fill in air spaces and cracks. It then hardens into a product that provides a superior level of insulating properties. This product has a very long life, typically as long as the building into which it is applied.

Wool Insulation

It's pretty expensive, but sheep's wool provides the best insulating properties available, especially in the environmentally friendly range of products. It's sustainable, environmentally friendly, and naturally resistant to fire. This product is particularly green, because the process to produce it uses the least amount of energy of all insulation options. Sheep's wool has natural moisture-resistant properties, so it is an excellent option in wetter climates. This product uses a mechanical production process and consequently, no adhesives have to be used - an added "green" bonus. It has a long life, it can be reused easily, and - when you're done with it - it can be made into compost for your garden. This product is an excellent value both for your wallet and for the planet.

Useful Tips on Roof Insulation

Of all the insulating materials on the market today, polyurethane foam roof insulation has one of the highest R values. It is also very strong, rigid and convenient to have installed. With energy costs on the rise, now is the time to take a closer look at foam roof insulation. If you are worried that foam roof insulation will leave your home looking like an igloo or different in any way, you have absolutely nothing to worry about, because a building that is insulated with foam roof insulation looks no different from any other building.

For a mobile home in a sunny climate foam roof insulation can be a real money saver and make for mush more comfortable living. With foam roof insulation your unit will cool off quicker and stay cool longer and take far less energy to keep cool during the day. For light commercial or industrial buildings that are economically infeasible to air condition, foam roof insulation is a fantastic choice.

It stops the heat before it has a chance to get beyond the surface of the roof and this makes for a much cooler working environment which translates directly into productivity. For any type of livestock operation foam roof insulation works great to keep your animals cool and stress free on hot days and this translates directly into higher production no matter what you are raising.

Stopping heat at the roof means that your attic will no longer be blazing hot and it will stop functioning as a heat reservoir. Foam roof insulation is easily roofed over with a variety of roofing products including all types of shingles, asphalt layered roofing and sheet metal roofing. If you are thinking about getting a new roof put on soon, then now is the time to take a good look at foam roof insulation.

How Does Roof Insulation Help?

Roof insulation is a part of your roofing. People usually wonder if roof insulation is worth the extra money because what can it really do. Roof insulation provides several different remedies and benefits that will protect your home and everything in it. When a roofing problem begins, you need to have roof insulation otherwise your home is in jeopardy when the roof begins leaking.

There are different types of roof insulation and each one has its benefits and advantages. The first type is polyurethane roof insulation. This type of roof insulation will stop your roof from leaking. If you have tiles or slates on your roof, they won't slip as long as you use this type of insulation. Polyurethane insulation also provides a protective barrier that will keep all the weather off of the roof. If you have problems with your plumbing freezing in the winter time, it can prevent this from happening as well. It also makes the exterior structure of the roof stronger and able to handle any type of weather.

Roof insulation can reduce the cost of heating drastically because it becomes a barrier to any cold air getting into your home and helps hold the heat inside on cold winter days and nights. When the warmth is maintained inside the home, it is less likely that your furnace will turn on and off constantly keeping a warm temperature at all times. It takes additional power and gas when the furnace kicks on and off frequently.

Insulation has been proven to make homes last longer because it protects the home from rotting slowly. Even when a tile or shingle breaks off, you can count on the insulation to keep out the elements of weather until you can repair the roof as needed. This ensures that your home is safe even when you think it’s not.

Another great reason to have insulation is to save on the expense of a complete roofing project. When you don't have protection such as the protection you get with insulation, you may find that the roof may become weakened in several spots and need to replace the entire area over time. It may be necessary to completely redo the roof from one end to another. This will depend on where you live, if there are trees around your home to protect your roof, and if you live in a wet climate.

As insulation is worth the investment you should count on money well spent when doing your roof from the beginning. Never leave the insulation out and always buy the best available because roof insulation does so much to protect your pocket and your home. If you are not sure what type of insulation would be right for your home or you want to make a change in how you redo your roof to be more conservative, you may want to speak to a roofing specialist to determine what type of roofing would be best suited for your home. When you apply new roofing you will secure your belongings for a longer period of time.

Roofing Insulation Helps Homeowners Save on Energy Bills

Roofing insulation offers many benefits and prudent use of the right insulating materials for the roof can help save on energy bills in the long run. Of the many different types of roofing insulation materials available in the market, foam insulation has the most effective insulating value. With the spiraling cost of electricity in recent times, people are trying to cut down on heating and cooling costs. Foam insulation is easy to install, strong and lasts long too. Even if your existing roof is not insulated, you can consider installing some roofing insulation to improve its insulation effect.

Many people are wary about installing new roofing insulation on already existing roofs since they feel it could alter the appearance of the house. Actually this is not true for an experienced contractor can install roofing insulation without altering the external appearance of the house since it is fitted under the existing roof. Those who live in mobile homes like caravans must install roofing insulation for caravans are prone to get extremely hot or cold since they have thin walls. Suitable insulation will keep caravans cool or warm depending on the outside temperature.

Factories and offices with proper roofing insulation will find that the productivity of the workers increases. Factories especially can get very hot and with the right roofing insulation, it will remain cool even during hot weather. Cool and comfortable work environment will be directly responsible for better output. Many people love homes where there is an attic or a loft. This can be converted into a bedroom for teenagers or as a guestroom. Attics and lofts can get extremely hot or freezing cold during winter.

Good roofing insulation will ensure a comfortable temperature in the attic or loft by preventing heat from escaping via the roof during winter and preventing heat from entering in during summer. Hence, ensure you buy the right roofing insulation for whatever type of home you possess so that you can be comfortable within the home while at the same time saving on energy bills. There are many good roofing contractors who specialize in roofing insulation. Get a list, verify their credentials, work out a good price and get your roof insulated soon.

Shingles are the most common type of roofing material used in the United States. If it is the time to replace your roof shingles, do not just get the cheapest ones, for by installing insulating roofing shingles, you can save a great deal in the long run by running your air conditioner or heater less. The right insulation for roofing shingles will keep a home warm in winter and cool in summer. Rain, sun, snow and wind constantly batter roofing shingles. If the shingles do not have any insulation, the heat will pass right through and heat the inside of the house during summer when you want it to be cool.

Similarly, when snow and biting cold winds blow, they again will pass through the shingles and the home will be much colder. Both these will result in the heater or air conditioner working overtime to warm or cool the home. Hence, energy bills will increase dramatically. Here are the different types of roofing shingles available and their relative insulation benefits.

• Wood shingles

• Metal shingles

• Eco roofing

• Solar roofing