How Much Insulation Is Required In Attic

Loose fill or batt the common term for blanket insulation.

How much insulation is required in attic.

The insulation levels of an attic or of any part of a house are understood through the r value that is the value with which the insulating material is resistant to heat flow. How well a particular insulation works is expressed by the r value which ranges from 2 0 to 8 0 per inch of insulation. The higher the r value the better the thermal performance of the insulation. Having the correct amount of attic insulation can help you maintain a comfortable temperature throughout your home and help save money on your energy bills plus prevent major issues like ice dams in the winter.

R value is a measure of insulation s ability to resist heat traveling through it. The insulation in your attic should be at least 12 thick. The higher the r value the better job the insulation does at preventing the transfer of heat. The recommended level for most attics is to insulate to r 38 or about 10 to 14 inches depending on insulation type.

In zone 6 the average minimum requirement for attic insulation is 14 inches of r49 fill. To determine the present r value of your attic insulation have an energy assessment. In zone 5 the average minimum requirement for attic insulation is 11 inches of r38 fill. How much insulation in attic for zones 5 7.

When adding additional insulation you do not have to use the same type of insulation that currently exists in your. The higher the r value the better the thermal performance of the insulation. Add the right kind of insulation. Once you ve decided which type is best for you examine the material options and prices to home in on the right product.

If your attic insulation is only a few inches thick or if you can see the ceiling joists you re wasting money on your heating and cooling bills. The average recommended level is 17 inches of r60. If you think you re among the 90 of us homes that are under insulated 1 performing a simple insulation inspection will help you determine your insulation needs. Both can be added to uninsulated attics or layered over existing material.

Increasing attic insulation to an r 50 can provide a good barrier to heat loss. How much insulation do i need in my attic. The average recommended level is 17 inches of r60. 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 have a type of insulation that has an r value of r 5 per inch of thickness you will need a depth of 6 inches of this insulation installed in your attic to reach r 30 if you live in zones 2 or 3. You can also measure the height of the insulation and multiply times the r value per inch of the ma terial that is in place 2 5 to 4 0 per inch on average. In general to optimally isolate an attic on average an r value of the insulation is required ranging from r 50 to r 60. The thicker the better.

It is not uncommon to see 15 to 20 of insulation in a well insulated attic.