Things to Consider When Insulating Your Attic 

by | Jan 24, 2020 | Spray Foam Insulation

For those who don’t know, if your house is not insulated, around 25% of heat is lost through the roof. Insulating your flat roof, attic, or loft is an effective and simple way to lower your heating bills and lower your heat loss.  

 

Whether you choose spray foam insulation California or other methods, attic insulation will last for a lot of years and it will pay for itself a lot of times.  

Selecting Attic Insulation 

Your attic should be easy to insulate if it is easy to access and has no condensation or damp issues. You can even insulate it yourself in almost every case.  

You can utilize rolls of mineral wool insulation if access is simple and your attic joists are standard.  

Here are several things to think about when installing attic insulation: 

  • Room-in Roof 

You’ve got to ensure that every ceiling and wall between an unheated and heated room is insulated if you want to utilize your attic as a living space.  

  • You can insulate a flat ceiling like a regular attic. 
  • You can insulate vertical walls just like a warm roof. 
  • You can insulate a sloping ceiling just like a warm roof. However, you have to layer it with plasterboard on the interior side of the insulation. 

You have to ensure you insulate every area of the ceiling and wall around any dormer window. Also, you need to utilize high-performance glazing for your skylights or windows. 

  • Warm Attic 

Fitting the insulation over and between the rafters is another way to insulate your attic. For those who don’t know, the sloping timbers that make up the roof are called the rafters. You can utilize a rigid insulation board. However, you have to cut it properly to size. On the other hand, you can use spray foam insulation between the rafters.  

You’ll require a professional to insulate the roof whichever technique you utilize. This isn’t a DIY project. 

  • Storage Space 

You will have to place boards over the joists if you are planning to use the attic or loft for storing items. Unluckily, the insulation will not be thick enough if you insulate only between the joists before placing boards.  

You can increase the floor level so that you could fit enough mineral wool under the new floor level. This will help you get enough insulation. To prevent condensation on the underside of the boards, it is crucial to leave a ventilated air gap between the boards and the insulation.  

Whenever you fit the boards on top, you’ve got to ensure you do not squeeze the mineral wool. If that happens, it will only lower its insulation value. 

  • Hard-to-Access Attic 

You will have to hire an expert to have blown insulation if your loft is difficult to access. They will utilize a unique tool to blow the right insulation material into any hard-to-reach places. They might utilize polyurethane foam, treated cellulose, or mineral wool fiber. All of these will depend greatly on the material that your loft will need.