How To Add Extra Insulation To The Attic

Inspecting and evaluating your insulation.

How to add extra insulation to the attic.

Attic hatch or door. Before you call a contractor however it s important to understand the options and costs involved. When adding additional insulation you do not have to use the same type of insulation that currently exists in your attic. If you need to add insulation in your attic save big by blowing in cellulose insulation yourself.

Thickness must not be used as the sole factor in determining the r value of loose fill insulation particularly for attic insulation. Department of energy fibgerglass batts have an r value of 3 2 per inch while loose fill fiberglass. Consider adding more insulation as ductwork is farther from the furnace. How to add extra insulation to an attic.

Adding insulation to an unfinished attic is one of the most effective ways to save money on your energy bills. The vapor retarder on top of or between layers of insulation can trap moisture. The cost and effort to add more insulation is minimal. To install fiberglass batts over existing insulation lay the batts perpendicular to the joists so they do not compress the insulation below.

Blowing attic insulation isn t hard but it s dusty sweaty work. Faced insulation should not be placed on top of existing insulation in the attic. Use a zippered insulated tent to keep the enclosure draft free attic tent at 7 attic cover insulator 120. Expect to pay an additional 85 per hour for this service.

The pros charge 1 500 to 2 000 to do a 1 200 sq ft. You can add loose fill on top of fiberglass batts or blankets and vice. Add the right kind of insulation. Multiply the number of inches of insulation by the r value per inch.

If your rigid metal ductwork has any insulation it may already have enough. Any new batt or roll insulation installed over existing insulation in the attic needs to be without a vapor retarder face. Check the attic walls and floors adjacent to an unheated space like a garage or basement. How much does attic insulation cost.

You can do it yourself for about 500. Add weatherstripping around the perimeter and a sweep to the door of a walk up attic. Blown in insulation overview. According to the u s.

Whether you live in a warm weather state as i do or in a cooler northern climate it s hard to stay comfortable and keep your energy bills in check if you don t have adequate insulation in the attic. Pull down stair or ladder. If it s uninsulated you should insulated it to at least r 4 to r 8 for dfw. The recommended level for most attics is to insulate to r 38 or about 10 to 14 inches depending on insulation type.