Attic Insulation
Heat tends to rise from the lower to the upper level and if your attic is not adequately insulated you may end up paying at least 20% more on your energy bills.
The most common method of attic insulating the attic is to lay the insulation material between the joists. The best materials for this job are the mineral fiber, the rock fiber, glass fiber and foil-backed felt as they are proofed against rot, vermin and damp. They are non-inflammable and are available by roll. The width of roll varies from 5 meters to 9.4 meters.
Attic Door Insulation
Doors and windows are quite vulnerable to the strong draughts of wind which penetrate through the gaps and slits around the doors and the windows. The best way to locate the gaps in the doors is to move a burning candle around the edge of the door frame. The flame will flicker where the air is leaking in through the gap. Use the draught proofing strip around the frame of the door. Many types of strips are available from the market. First type is the self adhesive foam strip. Second type of tape is self adhesive rubber strip. This is tougher strip and can last longer. The third type is bush strip. This is particularly useful for surfaces moving against each other. The fourth type is silicone rubber sealant. It can prove useful for filling gaps on uneven and irregular surfaces. The fifth type is the sprung strip which is longer lasting than the rubber and the foam strips.
Unvented Attic Foam Insulation
Spray foam is considered the best material to insulate unvented attic spaces. The process involves spraying the foam directly to the underside of the roof between the joists, down around the rim, on the gable wall ends, and effectively sealing off and insulating the entire attic space from any air infiltration. This process will insulate the attic from the extreme heat that can radiate through the hot shingles sheathing and roof.
Attic Blow-In Insulation
The best materials for blow-in and spray insulation are the fiber glass, cellulose and foam. The do-it-yourselfers can easily get the cellulose or fiberglass blower equipment on rent. Using proper technique for blow-in insulation is critical for the effective insulation as any attempt to over do the spraying in order to reach the desired depth may end up in fluffed up overblowing.
Cellulose insulation is composed of 85% recycled newsprint and the remaining 15% is comprised of a mixture of borate and ammonium sulfate that functions as a fire retardant. These chemicals also deter rodents, insects, and mold.
