Most Common Forms of Attic Insulation Used Today
You need a good air seal and insulation to make your home more comfortable. Understandably, installing attic insulation will act as a barrier between the inside and outside environment. It prevents conditioned air from escaping the building and keeps exterior temperatures from reaching indoors depending on its resistance or R-value in a given area. Attic insulation comes in different types, and it is important to choose the right insulation for your home or building, depending on how you intend to use it. Here are the types of attic insulation used today by most homeowners:
Blanket insulation
Blanket insulation is loose and fluffy and can be blown or sprayed into an area between ceiling joists or rafters. It has a higher R-value than most other insulations, so it keeps out cold weather better than cellulose, fiberglass, and mineral wool (which may not fit). However, this kind of attic insulation is susceptible to gaps and settles over time, which will start absorbing some heat. It best suits people who want insulation that is easy to install.
Loose-fill insulation
It is similar to blanket insulation, but it is made of tiny fibers, filling cavities more efficiently and easily. Loose-fill insulation has a lower R-value than blanket insulation, though, which means you will have to use more of it to get the same level of protection from heat escaping outside your home. It suits people who want something easier to install.
Cellulose insulation
It is made from recycled paper products and plant material like woodchips and cotton plants — cellulose can absorb moisture without feeling wet, unlike some other insulation, which is more susceptible to mold. Cellulose insulation is cheaper than most other types of insulation but can be messy during installation and doesn’t perform as well in wet conditions.
Mineral wool
It is made of basalt, slag, or rock wool fibers which are naturally fire-resistant. Mineral wool has excellent sound-dampening capabilities, so it’s great to have loud neighbors or traffic nearby because the noise will be less noticeable with this kind of insulation installed. However, since mineral wool insulation usually comes in large battens, it may not fit easily into small gaps between ceiling joists and rafters.
