Having the correct insulation depth in your attic doesn’t merely keep your house cozy. It can help you save lots of money on your energy bills.
If you are concerned your house is among the 90% in the United States that doesn’t have enough attic insulation, now is an excellent time to install more. Having enough insulation helps regulate your residence’s comfort and halt wintertime troubles like ice dams, according to the Insulation Institute.
As you get ready to begin installing more installation in your attic, you could 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 soggy or damaged, you can often keep it. We suggest calling a pro who specializes in attic insulation in Oklahoma City, like Gordon's Service Experts. That way, you’ll know your attic insulation is installed like it should be and matches building code standards. Proper installation also means you’ll have top benefits for energy efficiency.
If your insulation looks like shiny pebbles or chips, stop before adding more insulation. Vermiculite insulation was often installed in homes built earlier than 1990. The EPA says you should presume it has asbestos, which can cause 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® advises attics should have at least 14” of insulation, which offers an R-value of 38. Attic insulation R-value measures how effectively insulation can stop heat. If you live in a northern climate, as much as 18” or an R-value of 49 is suggested.
R-value is also affected by the type of insulation you use, its depth and how it’s added. When you work with a company like Gordon's Service Experts, we’ll take all the guesswork out of R-values and how much insulation needs to be put in.
What’s the Best Insulation for My Attic?
Gordon's Service Experts chooses the right insulation for your attic by taking into account where you live, your budget and how much insulation you need to add. Here are the types of attic insulation we install.
Batt Attic Insulation
This style of insulation comes in sheets trimmed to fit your attic and is constructed from fiberglass, mineral wool or cotton. Fiberglass is the most requested, due to its price, moisture resistance and fire resistance. Mineral wool is costlier, but delivers excellent protection against fire, water and sound. Usually constructed from recycled jeans, cotton insulation is a green choice that gives superb performance.
Blown-In Attic Insulation
A special machine is used to put in blown-in attic insulation, which could include fiberglass, cellulose, mineral wool or cotton. Cellulose is a good option if you have many little spaces to fill, like around pipes, wiring or framing. While cellulose is economical and fire resistant, you’ll also have to realize that it can hold on to moisture and settle over time.
Spray Foam Attic Insulation
This liquid insulation transforms to a hard foam on contact. It gives the broadest barrier against air, vapor and water. Spray foam attic insulation is great for plugging cracks and other tricky-to-get at spots. It’s extremely tough, doesn’t go down and gives a natural sound barrier.
When you are looking to to install extra in your attic, Gordon's Service Experts can assist you. Our licensed and certified Experts are here to offer skilled suggestions and outstanding service that includes a 100% satisfaction guarantee.* Call us at 405-432-2197 or use our online scheduler to request an appointment right away.
*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.