Additional attic insulation can significantly reduce your energy bills, which is why many do-it-yourselfers list attic insulation upgrades among their to-do projects.
While installing your own attic insulation looks straightforward, there is a lot of potential for errors that could end up costing you more. Let Tedrick’s Roofing address some of the questions customers ask their roofing contractor in Kent to give you a clearer picture of attic insulation installation.
Can I Install the Attic Insulation Myself?
Technically, you can; but we strongly recommend against it. Instructions are freely available online – from simple roof repair to full installations – but they only ever focus on the how and never on the why. Also, every home is different – professionals are trained to identify the condition of a particular attic and decide what kind of insulation to install in it. Your energy bills will only be significantly reduced if your insulation is installed by experts who know exactly what they’re doing.
How Can I Tell if I Need More Attic Insulation?
Here’s a quick and easy way: look across your attic floor. If the existing insulation comes up just to the top of the joists, then you probably need more.
How Many Insulation Types Are There?
A full discussion of different insulation types will fill an article by itself, so your expert at roof repair in Auburn will focus on the types used on attics.
- Roll-on or blanket-type. These come as fiberglass batts and are probably the most common (and cheapest) type of insulation. While they can easily be installed, they should be handled with proper protective gear as they present some respiratory hazards when disturbed. They also have to be installed with the right amount of compression in relation to the type of roofing, or they won’t be as effective.
- Loose-fill or blown-in. This material is made of loose-fill cellulose and requires a machine that fills an existing attic floor framing. This material is great for filling in even the smallest crevices and corners. This will completely insulate your roofing in Federal Way, WA.
- Sprayed foam urethane. If you’re planning to use your attic as another room, you’ll need to insulate the roof and not the attic floor, and sprayed foam polyurethane is the perfect insulation for the job. This is because it molds itself to rafters and blocks water vapor.
Any Other Potential Hazards That I Should Be Aware of?
Another advantage professionals have is that aside from the installation process, they are on the lookout for potential fire hazards, such as: insulation being placed directly on recessed lighting fixtures, installing too close to water heaters, and wrapping wiring in insulation. These shouldn’t be a problem when you hire professionals for the job.
If you would like to know more about how proper attic insulation can save you money, keep you comfortable, and reduce the potential for water damage, call Tedrick’s Roofing today at (206) 824-3440 or use our contact form.