Selecting the optimal form of attic insulation for your home in Whitney is critical to achieving desired energy efficiency and comfort in your indoor environment. Insulation in the attic of a home can play a huge role in minimizing heating and cooling loads, as it’s a prime area for energy loss. The insulation material with the room’s shape factor (length, width, and height) that gives it the best possible R-value (which stands for resistance to heat flow) should be used. The most popular materials for achieving an R-value above 49—sufficient for energy efficiency for homes in this area—are fiberglass batts, cellulose (usually blown), and foam. The first, fiberglass, is the most cost-effective and easiest to handle. Cellulose is often made from shredded newspapers and other recycled materials, giving it an Earth-friendly posture. Spray foam (or its cousin, pour-in-place foam) is the only material that can really achieve total air sealing in the attic—it can be used anywhere to plug up holes, and anywhere that you have holes, you have potential paths for warm air to escape in winter and cool air to escape in summer.
When you are picking insulation for your attic, you have to think about what your attic is like. If you have an attic with a lot of strange spaces in it or with wires and plumbing that get in the way, cellulose or fiberglass that you blow into the space might work best. Those loose-fill options are good at covering irregular spaces and getting into the nooks and crannies of an attic. If you have a big, wide-open attic and if it's unfinished, fiberglass batts or rolls that you put in might be the best choice. And don't forget: If moisture builds up the way it wants to in your attic, you could have mold problems. So, you need to think about what insulation (and possibly vapor barriers) to use to keep that from happening. If all this is making you dizzy, a pro can help.
In the end, you must think about your insulation budget, maintenance, and long-term choices. Investing in high-quality attic insulation can pay off in substantial long-term energy cost savings. Choosing a durable, low-maintenance insulation that will not settle, degrade, or necessitate top-offs will free you from the reevaluation and retrofit cycles that many homeowners face. Insulation materials vary widely in their embodied energy and in the environmental and human health impacts associated with their manufacture and disposal. Consulting with local experts familiar with the unique building types and environmental conditions in your part of the world is a good way to ensure that you select effective and Atkins-compatible attic insulation for your home.
