How Much Attic Insulation Should I Have

However the real answer is a bit more complex.

How much attic insulation should i have.

Add the right kind of insulation when adding additional insulation you do not have to use the same type of insulation that currently exists in your attic. 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. To prevent heat loss the attic space should be well insulated. 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.

The cost to insulate an attic starts at 1 68 3 25 per square foot but can vary significantly with site conditions and options. See typical tasks and time to insulate an attic along with per unit costs and material requirements. When you can see the joists you definitely need more insulation. See professionally prepared estimates for attic insulation work.

Each bag lists the required depths for a range of r values and the number of bags needed to cover 1 000 square feet at those depths. Blown in insulation is the least expensive option and ideal for older attics. For loose fill read labels. For batts or rolls calculate the number based on the width and length of the product you re using.

But how much insulation is enough for the attic. There are two factors to consider when planning to insulate your attic. Where do you live. Recommended insulation levels for retrofitting existing wood framed buildings.

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. Get fair costs for your specific project requirements. Existing 3 4 inches of insulation. The recommended level for most attics is to insulate to r 38 or about 10 to 14 inches depending on insulation type.

Most homes will keep fairly cool with just six to eight inches of insulation but over time insulation settles so having a little extra doesn t hurt. If you look at the chart above you can see that the attic should achieve an r value between r38 and r60 depending on the current insulation levels. The short answer is as much as you can get and a good rule of thumb is to have a r value of 38 in your attic. Add insulation to attic.

According to the u s. Learn more about insulation r values. Fiberglass and cellulose insulation have r values of 2 9 to 3 8 per inch while sprayed foam insulation can go as high as 8 0 per inch. For homes in the boise idaho area the insulation r value climate zone is 5.

Twelve inches is often plenty when one or more of these situations is true you re going to need more insulation.