Attic Insulation
Fiberglass Attic Insulation
Many homes in Maryland, Washington D.C. and Virginia were constructed at a time when energy costs were low, and concerns over carbon emissions were unheard of. As a result, many residences have inadequate attic insulation. As utility rates increase, the cost of having insufficient insulation rises as well.
It is also important to consider the other benefits of adding new insulation to your attic. Today’s products also provide beneficial sound, fire and mold-resistance as well.
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The Case for Increased Attic Insulation
Several years ago, Boston University researchers led by Dr. Jonathan Levy concluded that approximately nine of 10 U.S. homes are under-insulated. Inadequate attic insulation is often a part of the problem, particularly in homes built before modern insulation standards were established.
The Insulation Institute says, “If your home is more than 10 years old, you likely need more insulation.” In the past, insulation simply filled the gaps between joists. As a result, R-15 to R-21 insulation levels are common in older homes. Since the wood in the rafters is a relatively poor insulator, thermal bridging across the joists further reduces insulation’s effectiveness.
Suggested R-values vary around the country, from R-30 in warmer areas to R-60 across the northern tier of states. The U.S. Department of Energy divides the country into eight climate zones. Maryland, Washington D.C. and Virginia are in zone 4, where R-49 to R-60 attic insulation is recommended. For many homes, this the “sweet spot” where the added investment in extra insulation is cost-effective long-term.
Overview of Attic Insulation
A reputable, certified contractor is well-positioned to recommend the type of attic insulation that is ideal for your specific situation. In some homes, it is possible to simply add new insulation to the existing insulation. In other residences, it may be necessary to remove old insulation that is either wet and compressed or contaminated by mold or mildew.
There are various kinds of insulation to consider, including batts/rolls, loose fill, rigid foam and spray foam.
Batts and rolls – This type of insulation, usually made of fiberglass, mineral wool or cotton, comes in pre-cut widths that fit between joists with standard spacing. Some batts and rolls include a foil or paper backing that serves as a vapor barrier, while others are non-faced.
Time-consuming cutting is required for attics with lots of irregularly shaped spaces. Some things just can’t be avoided, like exhaust fans and junction boxes. Installation is also difficult in attics with smaller spaces that are tricky to access. Even the most disciplined worker may find it difficult to accurately cut each piece to size. Any gaps compromise the insulating value of the project.
Loose-fill insulation – Fiberglass loose-fill insulation is easier to install than batts or rolls because it readily flows around various obstructions commonly in attics, like ductwork and wiring. It can also be successfully blown into narrow spaces along the outer edge of the attic. Modern fiberglass insulation is manufactured from recycled glass and/or sand that is melted and spun into extremely thin fibers, giving it the consistency of cotton candy.
Potential Energy Savings
How much can you save by adding insulation? Of course, the answer to this question is unique to each home. However, it is worth noting that electricity rates run high in some parts of the Mid-Atlantic. For example, the average 12.84 cents/kwh residential electricity rate in Maryland ranks it 15th in the country.
The government’s Energy Star website says, “Homeowners typically save up to $200 a year in heating and cooling costs by air sealing their homes and adding insulation.” Of course, once an attic is properly insulated with a high R-value product, energy savings accrue year after year.
It is possible to maximize your savings by minimizing air leaks with professional caulking, weather stripping and expanding spray foam. It is also helpful to minimize air leaks around your attic door/hatch and to insulate it as well.
Sealing air leaks also limits moisture intrusion, particularly in the humid conditions encountered during the summer months. Moisture is also generated by activities in the home, like showers and washing clothes. The insulating value of both batts and loose-fill products are quickly compromised when they absorb too much moisture, so proper sealing of cracks and gaps is an important part of the job.
Other Benefits
Although the savings in heating and cooling costs are a major reason to add insulation to your attic, there are other important reasons to do so. Consider the many other benefits of loose-fill fiberglass insulation:
Noise reduction – High-quality loose-fill insulation does an excellent job of absorbing sound. Its superior acoustic performance limits distracting sounds that might otherwise make their way into your home.
Fire resistance – Loose-fill fiberglass and mineral wool insulation are both non-combustible. Since cellulose insulation is made from combustible paper products, it must be treated with large amounts of fire-retardant chemicals like borax nitrate, boric acid and/or ammonium sulfate to meet fire standards. In fact, cellulose insulation is an estimated 15-20 percent fire retardants, by weight.
Moisture resistance – Since the R-value of insulation is quickly compromised when it gets wet, moisture resistance is of utmost importance. Since moisture can be trapped in fibrous insulation like fiberglass, it is important to ensure proper air flow through proper venting. Fortunately, the material possesses excellent air permeability, so moisture will quickly evaporate if provisions are made for good airflow.
Mold resistance – Given the increased awareness of the potentially damaging effects of mold, it should come as no surprise that mold-resistant building products are quickly gaining favor. One of these is loose fiberglass insulation. It is naturally mold resistant, in part because it is non-organic. Mold needs nutrients (organic matter), moisture and certain temperatures to grow. Properly sealed air leaks reduce moisture intrusion. Good air flow further reduces moisture, which more readily evaporates from the spun fiberglass.
Minimize ice dams – As the Insulation Institute notes, an uneven flow of heat into the attic can make ice dams worse. These icy accumulations occur as melting snow on the roof re-freezes as it approaches the colder outer edge of the roof. The resulting ridge of ice is commonly referred to as an ice dam, because it prevents the proper drainage of water. Water backed up behind ice dams can find its way into the sub-roofing, framing and/or interior living spaces. Proper sealing and insulating of your attic space minimize this potentially serious problem.
Less strain on building – Loose-fill fiberglass insulation weighs less than alternatives like cellulose. When you want to achieve high R-60 values, the overall weight of the insulation may be a factor in some residences.
Recycled materials – Although cellulose insulation has traditionally featured more recycled content than its fiberglass counterpart, the latter is posting steady gains in this category. For example, SCS Global Services certifies that Pro Cat fiberglass insulation from Owens Corning averages 55 percent recycled content.
Advantage at resale – It is a good selling point to be able to tell a buyer that you installed R-60 insulation in your attic. A well-insulated home may also be easier to sell because of the lower utility bills you can show a buyer. Also, many prospective buyers understand that a well-insulated roof enhances the comfort of the home’s occupants.
Importance of Proper Installation
As with most home improvement projects, it is necessary to prepare the attic before adding more insulation. It is also important to have skilled technicians do the work to maximize effectiveness.
Preparation – Before blown-in insulation is added, a careful examination of the existing insulation is necessary. Old batts may exhibit water damage, and some may even be moldy. These damaged batts need to be removed or the new insulation project will be compromised. Older insulation may also lose its loft and therefore some of its insulating capacity. Sometimes, it is best to simply remove the old insulation. This also makes it possible to locate and seal air leaks before a thick layer of loose-fill insulation is installed in your attic.
Some pre-1990 homes have attics insulated with vermiculite, a lightweight, grainy substance sometimes obtained from mines with asbestos deposits. Vermiculite needs to be tested to determine if it is tainted with asbestos. If it is, professional removal is required before the new insulation is blown in.
Importance of baffles – Insulation baffles, also known as rafter vents, enhance the performance of attic insulation. They are positioned between the rafters where the attic floor and ceiling meet. They typically come in four-foot lengths. Varied widths accommodate different rafter spacing. They are usually stapled to roof decking before the insulation is installed.
The use of baffles ensures that soffit vents remain clear, and they provide channels for air to properly flow from the soffits to the ridge vents. The baffles make it possible to position insulation all the way to the outer edge of the attic floor.
As with virtually all home improvement projects, successfully insulating an attic requires expertise and self-discipline. Professional installers need to use appropriate safety procedures to avoid inhalation of fiberglass particles during installation.
Installers must be alert to air leaks that need to be sealed. Second, if insulation is blown into the attic, it must be applied at a consistent depth to maximize its effectiveness. Careless or shoddy procedures can seriously compromise R-values, reducing future energy savings in the process.
Warranty Coverage
When you add insulation to your attic, you want the peace-of-mind that comes with a solid warranty from a major manufacturer that will be there to back it up. For example. A Limited Lifetime Warranty from Owens Corning provides added peace-of-mind when its Pro Cat fiberglass insulation is installed.
Tax Credits
OC tax credit 500
A federal tax credit is available to partially offset the cost of adding insulation to your attic. The tax credit is 10 percent of material costs, up to a maximum of $500. Many kinds of attic insulation qualify, including blown-in fiberglass insulation, batts, rolls, rigid foam and expanding foam. Keep in mind that a federal tax credit is subtracted from your federal tax bill.
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BRAX Roofing uses the ProCat professional loosefill insulation system from Owens Corning, an iconic American company. ProCat insulation is an Energy Star-certified product. Products with the Energy Star certification save energy and protect the environment without sacrificing performance.
BRAX Roofing offers DMV homeowners complete roofing and attic insulation services. BRAX is certified by a number of building materials manufacturers. For example, we are an Owens Corning Platinum Preferred Contractor, a designation fewer than one in 100 companies achieve.
To learn more about how adding attic insulation can cut energy costs, reduce common attic problems and improve comfort, please contact us today!
