Keep It or Throw It: Should I Remove Aging Attic Insulation?
Having the correct insulation depth in your attic doesn’t merely keep your home comfortable. It can help you save lots of money on your heating and cooling bills.
If you think your house is among the 90% in the United States that doesn’t have ample attic insulation, now is a fantastic time to install more. Having adequate insulation helps balance your residence’s temps and stop wintertime issues like ice dams, according to the Insulation Institute.
As you prepare to begin adding insulation to your attic, you might be considering if you need to do attic insulation removal. Not necessarily, and here’s why.
In Most Cases, You Can Keep Old Attic Insulation
Unless your existing insulation is wet or damaged, you can usually keep it. We suggest working with a pro who specializes in attic insulation in Savannah, like Coastal Service Experts. That way, you’ll know your attic insulation is put in correctly and matches building code standards. Accurate installation also means you’ll enjoy top benefits for energy efficiency.
If your insulation resembles shiny pebbles or chips, stop in advance of adding extra insulation. Vermiculite insulation was often installed in homes built prior to 1990. The EPA says you should assume it contains asbestos, which can result in cancer. Don’t touch it or disturb it and get in touch with a professional who specializes in asbestos removal.
How Much Attic Insulation You Should Put In
ENERGY STAR® recommends attics should have at least 14” of insulation, which gives an R-value of 38. Attic insulation R-value gauges how well insulation can block heat. If you have a home in a northern climate, as much as 18” or an R-value of 49 is suggested.
R-value is also influenced by the style of insulation you use, its density and how it’s added. When you work with a company like Coastal Service Experts, we’ll take all the guesswork out of R-values and how much insulation needs to be installed.
What’s the Best Insulation for My Attic?
Coastal Service Experts figures out the best insulation for your attic by including where you own your home, your budget and how much insulation you need to have. Here are the types of attic insulation we install.
Batt Attic Insulation
This style of insulation is available in sheets cut to fit your attic and is made from fiberglass, mineral wool or cotton. Fiberglass is the most often installed, because of its price, moisture resistance and fire resistance. Mineral wool is costlier, but offers greater protection against fire, water and sound. Typically made from recycled jeans, cotton insulation is a sustainable option that gives superb performance.
Blown-In Attic Insulation
A specialized machine is used to put in blown-in attic insulation, which could include fiberglass, cellulose, mineral wool or cotton. Cellulose is a smart material if you have a lot of little areas to fill, like around pipes, wiring or framing. While cellulose is economical and fire resistant, you’ll also have to realize that it can retain moisture and flatten over time.
Spray Foam Attic Insulation
This liquid insulation converts to a hard foam on contact. It delivers the best barrier against air, vapor and water. Spray foam attic insulation is great for filling cracks and other tricky-to-access areas. It’s very strong, doesn’t settle and offers a natural sound block.
When you want to install additional in your attic, Coastal Service Experts can support you. Our licensed and certified Experts are here to provide skilled suggestions and outstanding service backed by a 100% satisfaction guarantee.* Reach us at 912-208-2399 or use our online scheduler to book an appointment now.
*Not applicable to the Advantage Program. See your signed Advantage Program agreement for full details and exclusions. 100% Satisfaction Guarantee is subject to certain restrictions and limitations as set forth in the applicable Terms and Conditions.
