The Basics of Attic Insulation
If you are looking for ways to make your home more comfortable, as well as save on your utility bills while you’re at it, addressing attic insulation issues is a great solution. In this blog post, local roofing company JAM Roofing shares a quick guide to attic insulation.
The Benefits of Insulation
The attic is a part of a larger structure called the energy envelope, which also includes the exterior walls and the fenestrations — windows, entry doors and skylights. All components of the energy envelope require insulation in order to slow down thermal transfer between interior and exterior spaces and maintain consistent indoor temperatures.
A properly-insulated attic offers the following benefits:
- Ice dam prevention. Attic and roofing insulation can help prevent ice dam formation in winter. Ice dams form when trapped heat in the attic radiates through a poorly-insulated roof, melting the snow on top, flowing towards the roof edge and refreezing, forming ice dams.
- Lower energy bills. As discussed above, attic insulation complements the other parts of the energy envelope. Consistent indoor temperatures help reduce indoor heating and cooling requirements. A well-insulated energy envelope can result in a reduction in annual energy costs by up to 20%.
- Improved comfort. Consistent indoor temperatures translate to more comfortable indoor spaces across all seasons.
- Increased home value. Features that help maintain the roof condition and contribute to energy savings are attractive to home buyers, which makes attic insulation a worthy investment.
Types of Attic Insulation
There are four main types of insulation that are suitable for attics:
- Fiberglass. Made with finely-spun glass fibers, fiberglass is the most common type of building insulation. It comes in batt or blanket form, and typically used to fill cavities in the wall framing and under the attic floorboards. Some brands of fiberglass insulation can be shredded and loosely-strewn on an unfinished attic floor.
- Mineral wool. Mineral wool is made from molten minerals or rock, and is sold in batt or blanket form, like fiberglass insulation. A key feature of mineral wool is its resistance to temperatures above 1,800 degrees.
- Cellulose. Cellulose insulation is made from recycled paper products. Like wood, it provides excellent insulation and soundproofing qualities. It can be applied loose and dry for tight closed crevices, or as a wet pulp for vertical and floor-facing surfaces.
- Foam. Spray foam is created from two materials, isocyanate and polyol resin, which expand upon contact, making it ideal for filling tight gaps and crevices.
An experienced roofing contractor can help you pick the right type of insulation for your attic. Call JAM Roofing today at (541) 773-7663 or fill out our contact form to schedule an appointment. We serve Medford and Grants Pass, OR and the surrounding communities in Oregon.