Attic insulation can be a difficult process to understand.
With all the different terminology attached to attic insulation - be it loose fill insulation, open cell and closed cell foam, and insulation values - it can be a nightmare to know what is the best attic insulation for you.
Fortunately, this article is here to help. We'll explain the four best types of attic insulation available in the market and the pros and cons of each one.
We'll also explain how to know what the right one for you is and how to be safe during installation.
Take the uncertainty out of attic insulation by reading on!
What Are the Top Attic Insulation Types?
There are four major types of attic insulation, multiple of which may be appropriate for your home.
We'll introduce them here, and go into their advantages and disadvantages later on.
Two of these types of attic insulation are installed through the "blown-in method." Instead of rolling the insulation material in place, it is instead blown-in using an insulation blower or blowing machine.
Blown-in cellulose and blown-in fiberglass insulations use this method. For this reason, they are generally referred to as "loose-fill insulation," as they aren't as solid as other kinds of insulation like a foam board.
The other two types require more manual adhesion.
Fiberglass batt and spray foam insulations are installed directly on the walls through the use of adhesive material.
Fiberglass batt is a popular kind of installation as it can be done by yourself as a DIY.
Spray foam will generally require a contractor but offers more variation: it comes in both open and closed cell variants, offering a softer fabric and more protection against moisture.
How Do I Know Which One is Right For Me?
With all those options, you might feel a little overwhelmed choosing between them.
Fortunately, the HVAC industry has developed an easy way for you to understand the effectiveness of materials and what kind will be most suitable for your home.
The "R-Value" is the metric used to evaluate the suitability of a material. Materials that trap heat in your home have a high r-value, while ones that let heat leave have a lower R-value.
If you live in a warm climate, you'll want a lower r-value to keep your home from overheating.
This calls for insulation material with an r-value of around R40. In colder climates, you'll need instead insulation material with an r-value of R50+.
The Pros and Cons of Different Types of Attic Insulation
Now that you know the different options available and the basics of r-value attic insulation, we can discuss the advantages and disadvantages of all the attic insulation types.
Blown-In Cellulose Insulation
Pros of Blown-In Cellulose Insulation
The blown-in installation method is the most complete method, as it can fill all the gaps and wall cavities that the other methods simply can't.
This ensures there is zero heat transfer out of the home when you need to keep in the heat.
Blown-in cellulose is a relatively cheap installation, as it can be as cheap as 60c per square foot.
Around 80 to 85% of cellulose insulation is made of recycled material, such as ground-up paper. These recycled materials make it one of the most ecologically friendly options.
Blown-in insulation can be quite useful in tight areas, such as in a smaller attic space, as it fills the area. Other materials may be too large or awkward to install in these kinds of spaces.
Cons of Blown-In Cellulose Insulation
Cellulose is very absorbent and will take in water if flooded. This can make it very susceptible to moisture damage and mold, so you will need to install a vapor barrier to serve as a moisture barrier between the air and the cellulose.
Though the blown-in insulation is quite thorough, it can also require a bit of cleaning up. The method isn't entirely accurate, so you'll have to clean up the cellulose insulation that doesn't fall into place.
Wet-spray cellulose can be used if you want to install cellulose without the blown-in method.
The chemical treatment used in cellulose insulation, which uses boric acid, isn't as effective in preventing rodents as companies claim it to be.
An infestation could affect your installation if not monitored. The inclusion of chemicals like boric acid also slightly lessens the ecological positives of using recycled material.
Blown-In Fiberglass Insulation
Pros of Blown-In Fiberglass Insulation
Fiberglass presents no fire hazard to your home as the material is non-combustible. This flame proof material can be installed in nearly any kind of attic without risk.
Just as with the blown-in cellulose installation, blown-in fiberglass insulation is a very thorough kind of installation.
Loose-fill fiberglass will insulate essentially everything with a perfect air barrier, even in very small and narrow attics.
Blown-in fiberglass insulation is a much quicker installation than fiberglass batt insulation, thanks to the loose-fill fiberglass used.
Blown-in fiberglass insulation is quite energy efficient once in place, making loose-fill fiberglass a good way to save money on energy bills.
Cons of Blown-In Fiberglass Insulation
All kinds of fiberglass have the potential to be dangerous. This is because exposure to fiberglass particles can cause serious irritation on your skin and eyes.
Fiberglass manufacturers warn that you should always use protection when installing it.
The R-value of the fiberglass insulation will lower after installation. However, it has been established by several insulation manufacturers that it will not decrease in cold air, contrary to the results of a popular but flawed study conducted by Oak Ridge Laboratories in the 90s.
Blown-in fiberglass insulation requires the most maintenance of any of these methods, especially if not installed properly.
Fiberglass Batt Insulation
Pros of Fiberglass Batt Insulation
Fiberglass batts are the easiest of these materials to install. You can likely install it yourself without needing the assistance of a contractor.
It is one of the cheapest materials. Fiberglass batts for an attic can be bought for between 50 to 85 cents per square foot, depending on your r-value needs.
As discussed in the last section, fiberglass is non-combustible and offers near-total fire resistance.
Fiberglass batt insulation is durable, so it can be left without needing later maintenance.
Cons of Fiberglass Batt Insulation
Fiberglass batt insulation can be damaged by a number of different causes, such as moisture accumulation, as well as by rodents and pests.
These can seriously degrade or destroy your insulation materials, so they need to be monitored.
Fiberglass batts are not overly ecologically friendly, as it is not sustainable and takes a lot of energy to produce.
Fiberglass batts need to be cut precisely for vents. If left uncut, they will not be able to trap heat well, which will reduce the r-value of your installation.
Some contractors don't believe fiberglass batts are suitable for homes and may not wish to install them.
Spray Foam Insulation
Pros of Spray Foam Insulation
Spray foam insulation is long-lasting and will likely not require any maintenance for as long as you live in the residence.
Spray foam insulation is air-tight. When you apply spray foam insulation, it will settle very tightly and effectively. This also means it doesn't require a vapor barrier.
Most foam insulation will provide structural support to your house as it fills the space, which separates it from other materials.
The closed cell foam variety of spray foam has some of the highest R-values out of all the different methods. The open-cell foam variety also has a reasonable insulation value.
Cons of Spray Foam Insulation
Botched spray foam installation can lead to water damage, as it will leave holes in your insulation. It's important that your spray foam insulation is performed by a professional.
Spray foam is an expensive form of insulation that will require greater costs, at least in the short term.
Though damage to proper attic insulation is unlikely, it can also cost a lot in repairs if it happens.
You shouldn't expose yourself to spray foam when you install insulation, as it can easily irritate your skin.
How Can I Stay Safe During Attic Insulation?
Installing attic insulation has the potential to be dangerous if you're well-prepared.
No matter what types of attic insulation you're considering using, you'll need some form of equipment.
When installing insulation, you should always wear a face mask. Fibers from certain types of attic insulation, especially fiberglass, can cause serious irritation to the skin, eyes, and lungs if you're exposed to them.
When handling insulation materials, such as foam boards, rock wool (known as mineral wool), or fiberglass batts, you should always wear gloves.
These kinds of attic insulation can be dangerous in contact with the skin, especially rock wool/mineral wool.
If you're worried about the potential dangers of adding insulation, consider getting a professional contractor to perform the attic insulation for you.
An HVAC contractor can assure your insulation is safe and won't threaten your air quality. They can also ensure your attic insulation has been performed correctly, which will stop you from needing expensive repairs.
If you're interested in getting your attic insulation done by a professional, consider contacting Air and Energy of NWFL. We provide expert attic insulation services all throughout the Pensacola region in Florida.
With more than 20 years of experience in the HVAC industry, we know our way around insulation and quickly can get your home perfectly insulated!
Final Thoughts on Attic Insulation
We've discussed the many types of attic insulation available to you, such as the blown-in methods of fiberglass and cellulose, as well as the more manual fiberglass batt and spray foam methods.
We've also discussed the potential negative consequences associated with amateur installation, such as health risks caused by exposure to insulator particles to increased energy and cooling costs.
If you want to ensure your attic is insulated properly, get in touch with us at Air and Energy of NWFL.
Our technicians are some of the most experienced in Pensacola, Florida, and we can work with you to find the right kind of insulation for your home.
We're also seasoned workers who are confident working with many different kinds of homes. Don't risk damaging your home. Call us today!
This article was written by:
Co-founder and Home Comfort Specialist