High-quality insulation is one of the best investments you can make for your home. Although you may balk at the price of better insulation, the money you'll save on your utility bills will quickly make the investment pay off.
Insulation-quality ratings are based on what's called R-value, a measurement of the insulation's resistance to heat change. The higher the R-value, the better the insulation.
Because heat rises, the most important areas to insulate are the ceiling and roof . One of the more common insulation types is blown cellulose, typically blown to a depth of about 12" for an insulation value of R-30. In homes where the blown insulation is only 8" deep, it should be supplemented by an attic blanket, which consists of fiberglass batting wrapped in plastic for easier handling. Another way of supplementing your roof insulation is with a reflective material that can be attached to the underside of the roof to reflect heat back into your home.
The most familiar insulation to most people is batting, which comes in various thicknesses and widths. The kraft paper on the back of the batting creates a vapor barrier that helps protect your home from moisture damage.
Although you might expect fiberglass batting to be difficult to handle, it's fairly easy to work with. All you need is a fiberglass-batting cutter, which consists of a sharp utility knife with a special guard. To use the cutter, press the batting down with the guard so the blade can cut all the way through the material.
When you're working with insulation, wear safety glasses, breathing protection and gloves. Leave the insulation as loose as possible: if you compress it, you'll reduce its effectiveness.
You might not think about insulating outlets and switches, but these small openings can cause a great deal of heat loss. You can insulate them with foam sealant or a rubber insulator with cutouts to fit around the switch openings.
The bottoms of the walls could be a source of drafts in your house. To seal them, remove the base or shoe molding, and caulk along the gap between the wall and the floor.
If you're ready to install more insulation in your attic, here's how:
* If you already have insulation in your attic, you won't need to remove it before installing new insulation.
Materials list:
expanding foam insulation (available in spray cans)
non-irritating attic insulation
gloves
safety glasses
dust mask
wire strippers
The new insulation doesn't cause much dust or irritation. However, you'll need gloves, safety glasses, and a dust mask to protect you if you have existing insulation.
- Measure the square footage of your attic and add 10% to determine the amount of insulation you'll need.
* When working in your attic, be sure to step directly on the ceiling joists; otherwise, you could fall through the ceiling. You can place planks or plywood on the joists to support your weight.
- Search the attic for any gaps in the floor, such as spaces around wires, and fill them with expanding foam.
- Start at the edges of the attic and roll the insulation toward the center. Use a broomstick to push the insulation into tight areas.
- Cut the insulation to fit around obstructions.
- Leave a 3" gap around junction boxes and light fixtures to avoid fire hazards.
* You may want to leave some plywood in the attic. However, don't lay the plywood on the insulation. The weight of the plywood will compress the insulation, making it less effective.
* You can expect to spend about $500 for 1,300 square feet of insulation
Resources Miraflex Insulation
Owens Corning
Website:
www.owenscorning.com
Guests Keith Moyer
Area Sales Manager for Owens Corning
412 Battlefront Tr.
Knoxville, tn 37922
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