How Much Insulation Is Required In Attic

The average recommended level is 17 inches of r60.

How much insulation is required in attic.

The insulation levels of an attic or of any part of a house are understood through the r value that is the value with which the insulating material is resistant to heat flow. To determine the present r value of your attic insulation have an energy assessment. The higher the r value the better the thermal performance of the insulation. The average recommended level is 17 inches of r60.

The insulation in your attic should be at least 12 thick. Having enough insulation in your attic is one of the best ways to save energy on both heating and cooling your home. How much insulation do i need in my attic. If you think you re among the 90 of us homes that are under insulated 1 performing a simple insulation inspection will help you determine your insulation needs.

In zone 5 the average minimum requirement for attic insulation is 11 inches of r38 fill. Add the right kind of insulation. For diy attic insulation you ve got two choices. Loose fill or batt the common term for blanket insulation.

Increasing attic insulation to an r 50 can provide a good barrier to heat loss. Having the correct amount of attic insulation can help you maintain a comfortable temperature throughout your home and help save money on your energy bills plus prevent major issues like ice dams in the winter. How well a particular insulation works is expressed by the r value which ranges from 2 0 to 8 0 per inch of insulation. R value is a measure of insulation s ability to resist heat traveling through it.

It is not uncommon to see 15 to 20 of insulation in a well insulated attic. Insulation level are specified by r value. In general to optimally isolate an attic on average an r value of the insulation is required ranging from r 50 to r 60. If your attic insulation is only a few inches thick or if you can see the ceiling joists you re wasting money on your heating and cooling bills.

Once you ve decided which type is best for you examine the material options and prices to home in on the right product. How much insulation in attic for zones 5 7. The thicker the better. The table below shows what levels of insulation are cost effective for different climates and locations in the home.

Both can be added to uninsulated attics or layered over existing material. The recommended level for most attics is to insulate to r 38 or about 10 to 14 inches depending on insulation type. The higher the r value the better job the insulation does at preventing the transfer of heat. When adding additional insulation you do not have to use the same type of insulation that currently exists in your.

The higher the r value the better the thermal performance of the insulation.