How Much Is Enough Attic Insulation

If your insulation doesn t measure up and you need more installation can be done as a weekend diy project or you can call a professional installer to handle the job.

How much is enough attic insulation.

How well a particular insulation works is expressed by the r value which ranges from 2 0 to 8 0 per inch of insulation. If it is less than r 30 which is to say 11 inches of fiber glass rock wool or 8 inches of cellulose then you may want to add more. The higher the r value the better job the insulation does at preventing the transfer of heat. How much should i add.

Check the chart below as a down and dirty guide of your existing r value. To find out if you have enough insulation in your attic measure the thickness of the insulation from top to bottom using a ruler. Energy information administration predicts that this. Use our roll insulation calculator to estimate the amount of wall insulation crawlspace insulation or attic insulation you need for your project.

First off you should know that insulating your attic isn t cheap. The recommended level for most attics is to insulate to r 38 or about 10 to 14 inches depending on insulation type. These recommendations are for true r values not the nominal values listed on insulation packaging. Blown in insulation is the least expensive option and ideal for older attics.

Estimates suggest that it ll cost around 1 340. If your attic insulation covers your joists and is distributed evenly you probably have enough. Insulation levels are specified by r value. The higher the r value the better the thermal performance of the insulation.

Having enough insulation in your attic is one of the best ways to save energy on both heating and cooling your home. For example if you install r 19 fiberglass batts in 2x6 frame walls with the studs 16 inches on center double top plates and other elements of standard framing the actual r value of the whole wall with the r 19 insulation will be about r 15. It can cost anywhere from 1 700 to 2 100 or between 1 50 and 3 50 per foot to insulate an attic depending on what insulation material you choose. Your attic should have a certain amount of insulation in it and the recommended level of insulation for your attic is dependent on where you live.