Comments on: Facts of Insulation R-Value

By: admin

admin — Tue, 12 Apr 2011 19:00:07 +0000

The only time when adding insulation to the rafter bays on the roof is appropriate is when you are sealing up your attic and making it into a living space that you will heat and cool. This got popular for a while and it is really the wrong place for insulation. Insulation belongs up against the thermal envelope (or the living space) which in your case would be along the attic floor. I realize with the work involved, that is probably not the answer you wanted to hear - but it is what is going to be the best results and use of your money and time. Additionally you could add a radiant barrier to your rafters to further help with preventing heat gain in the summer and heat loss in the winter. Because it appears you use your attic floor for storage, I recommend the radiant barrier be stapled up.

By: admin

admin — Tue, 12 Apr 2011 18:43:41 +0000

For instructions on installing a radiant barrier in your attic - the best site out there is AtticFoil.com. As for basements, you can use a green energy barrier to help stop heat loss from the home into the basement, but otherwise you'd stick to traditional insulation. Costs depend on if you DIY or hire someone. For radiant barrier installation it can range from cents per square foot to several dollars - depending on the time of year, the size of the attic and the installation method. Buy radiant barrier yourself and you can get a typical attic done for under $300.

By: Jeff Ratzlaff

Jeff Ratzlaff — Thu, 16 Dec 2010 05:30:43 +0000

My question is this. My attic is a walk in attic with a high peaked roof. Will installing insulation in between the roof joists be enough, or do I also need to put insulation into the floor, which would be the ceilings for my second floor, which would mean emptying out the attic(currently used for alot of storage)and pulling up the floor to put in insulation. Tell me what you think on that.

By: Reviews

Reviews — Mon, 02 Aug 2010 10:12:59 +0000

Hello,
How much does it cost or what site can I use fo installation of insulation in attic and basement?
Really great post, enjoyed reading it. Thanks

By: Topher

Topher — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 21:31:57 +0000

“In the end, learning the facts about r-value will help you save a lot of money.”

Good advice.

“The facts of insulation r-value is sometimes completely against common sense.”

R-value measures conductive heat transfer through a material. The higher the r-value, the lower the heat transfer. Simple.

“However, there are three main types of insulation and each one is made from a different material.”

There are many types of insulation. And the numbers for R-value vary somewhat. Also, while expanded polystyrene may have a slightly higher R-value, that doesn’t mean it is always ‘best’. Certainly using EPS for filling a stud bay would be a large mistake, and would probably not achieve the r-value of cellulose in the same application, but it would be far more expensive (not to mention requiring far more energy to make). On the other hand the are many applications where it would be vastly superior to cellulose.

Thank You Kindly.

By: lorna mikkelsen

lorna mikkelsen — Wed, 14 Apr 2010 16:02:22 +0000

We are considering using Temper Shield. Do you have any comments on that.

By: Foam Attic Insulation | Attic Insulation

Foam Attic Insulation | Attic Insulation — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 04:41:11 +0000

[...] will need to make a decision on how thick your want your insulation installed. Foam insulation r value is typically higher than your standard batts of fiberglass insulation. You will need to check the [...]