Bad Attic Insulation

Many homes are leaky and have insufficient insulation in the attic.

Bad attic insulation.

This allows a lot of heat up to the attic. Too many people believe the importance of roof ventilation is to increase energy. Both can be added to uninsulated attics or layered over existing material. Loose fill or batt the common term for blanket insulation.

More attic ventilation is good. Roof vents are for warmer climates. If you ve ever come in contact with fiberglass you already know what it can do to your skin. If you must disturb fiberglass insulation wear gloves a long sleeved shirt pants and goggles.

Breathing in fibers can also increase the difficulty of breathing. If your attic or wall insulation is in batt or blanket form whether it s fiberglass cellulose or another material you generally don t have to be concerned about asbestos. Now for the ceilings and band joist between the floor joists it s very difficult to enclose the insulation on all six sides and this is one of the big drawbacks of fiberglass and cellulose. Warm spaces have less condensation risk than colder space so when you add insulation to the attic floor you re intentionally blocking some of that heat from keeping the attic warm.

Other sources of damage to insulation include puncturing or cutting or exposure to excessive uv radiation and air leaks. Once you ve decided which type is best for you examine the material options and prices to home in on the right product. Batts typically come pre cut to different widths and are stapled to the wall to keep secured. It s best to rodent proof your attic and crawl space and prevent any opportunities for attic access to outside critters.

Fiberglass insulation comes in a variety of shapes and colors. Attic ventilation myths that are off the charts 1. For diy attic insulation you ve got two choices. Loose fill comes in bags and is usually blown into places like the attic and floor cavities.

Loose fill insulation comes in a variety of materials. Dust dirt and debris can also impact the effectiveness of your insulation. Just like properly sizing your furnace and air conditioning unit you want precisely. The two most common forms are blankets also referred to as batts and loose fill.

The tiny fibers of glass from insulation wool can irritate your skin and eyes. If you experience too much contact with fiberglass it can cause what s called irritant contact dermatitis or inflammation of the skin.