What Is The Best Attic Insulation?
The vote for best attic insulation will always be a controversial topic. But many will agree that fiberglass batts will never win that vote. That's because even though it is easy to install batt insulation to all areas of the home, they are hard to fit snugly into nooks and crannies. Coming in solid batt form, these insulating materials can be carried to whichever part of the building requires insulation, and then bedded down. However there are invariably gaps and leaks between the batts, which leaves portions like joists exposed. As a result, heat and cold can leak through the spaces resulting in loss of insulation.
Heat flows from hotter to cooler areas. This is a natural phenomena that goes on all around us. Heat is transferred by conduction, convection and radiation. When you insulate the attics the heat loss from the ceilings to the environment all round is prevented from happening.
The best attic insulation is one that blocks all three kinds of heat transfer. It should match the local climatic conditions and satisfy the R value rating mandated by local regulations. Extreme temperatures require higher R value ratings. Filling up all gaps securely in order to provide a continuous heat seal is another criterion the best attic insulation must fulfill. Spray foam insulation fits the bill and is a popular choice for the top slot.
Closed cell and open cell insulation foam are the two types of spray foam insulation available today. Spray foam is the most expensive of the insulating materials providing highest of insulation capacities. The open cell foam is less expensive compared to closed cell and has insulation capacity of R-3.9/inch.
Closed cell insulation is more effective, with R value being 6.9 per inch and providing a good heat barrier when installed to a thickness of 2 inches or more. Spray foam insulation has some special requirements. Application needs to be uniform all over the surface being insulated. It blocks air flow and heat transfer for the entire attic, which retains heat more effectively making it one of the best attic insulation choices available today.
Despite being a popular choice of home owners, spray foam insulation has one major deterrent - its higher cost. The price of spray foam insulation can be twice as much as another other alternative, and often requires professional installation which adds further to the cost. Special equipment like blowers is needed for installation and the chemicals must be mixed and sprayed at the right temperature and wetness in order to achieve the correct degree of expansion as it hardens. Only in this way will the greatest insulating impact be achieved.
There is one disadvantage of using foam as it is flammable. But, if sufficient care is taken then there is no reason why this insulation should not be used because of its excellent insulation properties and it is one of best attic insulation solutions around.
It is applied directly to the roof and once it cures and hardens the closed cell foam is quiet hard enough to walk on. About 2 inches of foam does the job of putting several layers of other type of insulation. The recommendations for getting optimum insulation is to go in for R-38 to R-50. Some areas need more and some areas less. So, consult the government website where detailed insulation values for each Zip Code are given to get best possible results.
Heat flows from hotter to cooler areas. This is a natural phenomena that goes on all around us. Heat is transferred by conduction, convection and radiation. When you insulate the attics the heat loss from the ceilings to the environment all round is prevented from happening.
The best attic insulation is one that blocks all three kinds of heat transfer. It should match the local climatic conditions and satisfy the R value rating mandated by local regulations. Extreme temperatures require higher R value ratings. Filling up all gaps securely in order to provide a continuous heat seal is another criterion the best attic insulation must fulfill. Spray foam insulation fits the bill and is a popular choice for the top slot.
Closed cell and open cell insulation foam are the two types of spray foam insulation available today. Spray foam is the most expensive of the insulating materials providing highest of insulation capacities. The open cell foam is less expensive compared to closed cell and has insulation capacity of R-3.9/inch.
Closed cell insulation is more effective, with R value being 6.9 per inch and providing a good heat barrier when installed to a thickness of 2 inches or more. Spray foam insulation has some special requirements. Application needs to be uniform all over the surface being insulated. It blocks air flow and heat transfer for the entire attic, which retains heat more effectively making it one of the best attic insulation choices available today.
Despite being a popular choice of home owners, spray foam insulation has one major deterrent - its higher cost. The price of spray foam insulation can be twice as much as another other alternative, and often requires professional installation which adds further to the cost. Special equipment like blowers is needed for installation and the chemicals must be mixed and sprayed at the right temperature and wetness in order to achieve the correct degree of expansion as it hardens. Only in this way will the greatest insulating impact be achieved.
There is one disadvantage of using foam as it is flammable. But, if sufficient care is taken then there is no reason why this insulation should not be used because of its excellent insulation properties and it is one of best attic insulation solutions around.
It is applied directly to the roof and once it cures and hardens the closed cell foam is quiet hard enough to walk on. About 2 inches of foam does the job of putting several layers of other type of insulation. The recommendations for getting optimum insulation is to go in for R-38 to R-50. Some areas need more and some areas less. So, consult the government website where detailed insulation values for each Zip Code are given to get best possible results.
About the Author:
To learn how to install roof shingles and about installing roof shingles, visit Pavel's roof shingles website today.