Author: Kevin

It’s finally happening—after scheduling consultation and gathering quotes on insulation removal, choosing an insulation expert, and picking out your materials, it’s time to prepare for your attic insulation installation.

While you might be excited to reduce your energy bills and keep your home more comfortable, the process isn’t completely hands-off. You’ll need to take steps to make sure your attic and the rest of your home remain safe throughout the process.

In this article, we’ll explore six key steps to take before your insulation experts come knocking.

These tips won’t just make your insulation installer’s life easier—they’ll also give you peace of mind on installation day.

Preparing Your Attic in Three Easy Steps

You might have already added “prepare attic for insulation” to your to-do list—or your partner’s—but what exactly should you do to accomplish that task? Luckily, you can get your attic ready in three easy steps. 

Step 1: Clear it Out

If your spring cleaning ritual includes pretending like your attic doesn’t exist, it’s now time to put that procrastination to bed. Find yourself paralyzed with fear while staring at all of the boxes in your attic? Take it one step at a time:

1. Don some protective gear – You may be embarrassed by the sheer volume of dust, dirt, and grime in your attic. But you’re close to finally getting rid of it! Put on a dust mask, your yard work clothes, and some latex or nitrile gloves. Even if you’re not afraid of getting dirty, don’t skip the mask—prolonged dust inhalation can damage your lungs.¹
2. Empty your attic – Instead of sitting up in your attic rifling through old Halloween decorations, take all of the boxes down before you start sorting. Your insulation expert doesn’t need all of your photos to be organized by year—they just need your attic to be empty.
   
3. Tidy up – While your attic doesn’t have to be sparkling clean—let your insulation professionals handle the old insulation and pest debris—try to sweep most of the dust and dirt out of the area immediately next to the attic entry point. Clear away any remaining tripping hazards and place pest traps in easily visible locations.
4. Sort, Purge, and Store – Now that you have all of your belongings out of the attic, why not take the opportunity to sort through them? While this step is certainly optional, and all you really have to do is make sure your belongings are stored out of the installers’ way, purging the things you no longer need and organizing your remaining keepsakes will give you a nice dopamine rush.²

Once you’ve cleared out your attic and moved your items to a temporary storage location, you can move on to less daunting tasks.

Step 2: Check the Lights

If you have a lighting system in your attic—or even just a bare light bulb with a pull string—make sure that your lights are in working order before your installation.

There are two main reasons why checking your attic lights is a good idea:

• Your insulation expert will bring the lighting they need to install your insulation, but any additional light in the attic space will only benefit the installation process. If you have a lot of lighting available in your attic and it’s in working order, your installer could skip their headlamp or flashlight, lightening their load even just a little.
• If you don’t currently have insulation in your attic, the lights you install and maintain in your attic are much more accessible now than they will be once your attic is full of insulation. Take advantage of the clear walking path and replace incandescent light bulbs with long-lasting LEDs.³

If the light bulb in your attic went out five years ago, now is the perfect opportunity to change those pesky bulbs.

Step 3: Make Sure Your Access Point is Operable

Check that your attic access point is in a safe, operable condition before your insulation team arrives. While they’ll likely bring a ladder just in case, it’ll be much more convenient to use the access hardware on hand. 

If you have a pull-down hatch with stairs, grease the hinges for smooth, quiet operation. If the pull tab on your attic hatch is broken, install a replacement chain. While you might have a secret trick for getting the hatch open without one, you want to make your installers’ lives as easy as possible. 

If you’re a little more old-school and simply have a piece of plywood covering your attic access point, make sure that there isn’t anything obstructing the opening or preventing the plywood from lifting up and away. 

Finally, if your attic access point is unusually small—if you can’t fit the top rungs of a ladder in it, for instance—inform your insulation installer during your consultation. They may have to make special arrangements for hauling their equipment into the attic. 

Preparing the Rest of Your Home

While your attic may be ready for company, the rest of your home may tell a different story.

Take these three steps to ensure that installers have a clear path to the attic, any sensitive belongings are out of sight, and your pets and children don’t get underfoot during the process.

Step 4: Clear a Path

Even if you’re used to avoiding furniture and obstacles in your home, your insulation team isn’t as familiar with your space as you are. So, clear a path for them to walk and haul their equipment to the attic access point as safely and efficiently as possible. 

Some tripping hazards might include:

• Rugs, even with effective pads underneath
• Food and water bowls for pets
• Shoes piled up at the front door
• Boot brushes, coat racks, and other foyer furniture

If insulation installers will have to climb a set of stairs to reach your attic access point, consider temporarily removing any rugs or treads from your staircase. In addition, make sure your landing is clear of planters, small furniture pieces, or other accouterments. 

While a clear path to the attic access from the front door may be obvious to you, your insulation team may need to take a different route than you expected. So, make sure that any other potential traffic areas are clear, or ensure that they’ll be easy to clear if needed on installation day. 

Step 5: Tidy Up

While your home doesn’t have to look like it’s staged for a real estate photo shoot, you should tidy up your space. Recruit your fellow housemates to help you with:

• Putting kids’ toys away
• Returning pet toys to their proper place
• Picking up throw blankets or pillows around the living room
• Cleaning up and temporarily storing craft or DIY projects in progress
• Putting small kitchen appliances away in cabinets
• Folding and storing laundry

These tips for tidying up aren’t for appearances—home improvement work can get dusty, and installing insulation is no exception. To avoid cleaning a fine layer of dust off of everything you own after the installation team leaves, stow as many things as you can in closets, cabinets, and drawers. 

While you should certainly clean up to ensure a safe working space for your insulation team and their equipment, preventing as much dust buildup as possible will save a lot of time after the installation is complete. 

Step 6: Secure Pets—And Kids

If you have children and pets, keeping them away from the action during your installation is highly encouraged, for both the installers’ safety and their own. 

Even if your pets are generally unbothered by visitors, your typical houseguests probably aren’t toting around heavy equipment or making a ruckus in the attic. Keeping your pets behind a closed door with their food, water, and a few favorite toys will help keep them calm and ensure that they stay out of the way during the installation process. 

If you have kids at home, ask them to stay in their rooms or keep them in a sequestered area where you can supervise them. Supply enough snacks, drinks, toys, or screens to keep them busy throughout the installation, but try to stick to the normal routine as much as possible. 

Keeping your pets and kids secure is a matter of safety for them and your insulation team. If a cat or toddler gets underfoot while the installers are working, they could trip and injure themselves, potentially hurting both parties. Add the extra hazards of operating heavy equipment, electrical hazards in attics, and the hassle of keeping your pets and kids out of the way makes even more sense. 

Step-by-Step Prep Tips from Attic Construction

How to prepare an attic for insulation is pretty straightforward—clear out your attic, replace light bulbs as needed, and make sure the entry point is in working order. But, some extra time spent preparing the rest of your house benefits your family, your pets, and your insulation team.  

If you have a specific question about preparing your own home, ask the experts at Attic Construction. With a decade of experience in the attic repair business, we can give you all the advice you need to make your installation a breeze. 

If you’re ready to add insulation to your attic, but you’re not sure where to start, drop us a line. Our experts will walk you through the whole process, and you’ll be on your way to enjoying a more comfortable home, improved efficiency, and lower energy bills. For even more attic improvement projects like installing flexible ductwork or finding attic services for HOA communities, check out our other blogs! 

Sources: 

1. Angi. The Whole-House Cleanout Guide: Letting Go Joyfully from Your Attic to Your Basement. https://www.angi.com/articles/whole-house-cleanout-guide-letting-go-joyfully-your-attic-your-basement.htm 
2. Psychology Today. The Science of Accomplishing Your Goals. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-truisms-wellness/201610/the-science-accomplishing-your-goals 
3. US Department of Energy. LED Lighting. https://www.energy.gov/energysaver/led-lighting 

How long has it been since you braved a glance into your attic? 

If you’ve recently noticed reduced air quality in your home or your energy bill is through the roof, your ducts might just be the culprit. While poor air quality might indicate that your ducts may need a good cleaning, poor energy efficiency and long run times for your HVAC system could be a sign that your ducts are leaking or damaged. 

If any of your vents have to be replaced, you have two options: flexible ductwork or rigid metal ductwork. In this article, we’ll explore why insulated flexible ductwork might be the right material for your ductwork repairs, in addition to Insulation removal you may need as well. 

Ductwork Explained

If you can’t tell the difference between a register and a return, don’t worry. We’ll start by covering some HVAC basics. 

Understanding your HVAC system—of which your ductwork is an integral piece—is pretty simple. 

Your HVAC system’s job is to heat or cool air and circulate it throughout your home. While all of these steps are happening simultaneously, here’s a quick rundown of how your HVAC system turns tepid air into cozy heat or refreshing air conditioning:¹

1. Most modern homes have a central air conditioner combined with a forced-air heater. When you set your thermostat to your desired temperature, either the heater or the air conditioner begins working to heat or cool air located in the plenum box, the heart of your HVAC system.
2. A fan inside the plenum box forces the heated or cooled air through one or more trunk lines, which are essentially the major arteries of your HVAC system.
3. Additional ducts branch off from the trunk lines, pushing air into individual rooms through registers—also called air vents. The heated or cooled air leaving the registers raises or lowers the overall temperature of the room.
4. The air forced into an individual room through a register eventually circulates towards the return, a large vent that sucks air from the inside of your home. Air sucked into a return passes through an air filter and moves back to the plenum box via a return duct, the major vein of your HVAC system. This air is once again heated or cooled in the plenum box, and the process begins again.

So, your ductwork contains three major elements:

• The trunk line(s)
• Ducts branching from the trunk line to supply air through registers
• The return duct(s)

If one or more of these components is leaking, dirty, or damaged, your HVAC system won’t function properly, and the malfunctioning component may need to be replaced. A ductwork expert will recommend two material options: flexible ductwork or rigid metal ductwork.

Why Choose Flexible Ductwork Over Rigid Metal?

There are some crucial differences between the two products, but the benefits of flexible ductwork might sway you towards installing it in your home. 

Next, we’ll explore flexible ductwork’s four major benefits. 

#1 Efficiency

The key to optimal HVAC system efficiency is leak-free ductwork. 

During installation, ductwork professionals must seal connections between ducts to prevent leaks, which can cause lower efficiency and higher energy bills. 

Ductwork professionals use two supplies for sealing—foil tape and mastic. These materials are usually used in tandem to create the strongest possible seal. Mastic, like spackle, is pliable when wet and dries into a hard coating. 

Flexible ductwork doesn’t require any sealant in its raw form, putting it at a significant advantage in terms of leak vulnerability. In addition, flexible ducts are already insulated, and the insulation layer is pre-sealed or seamless, further reducing its leak potential.²

Flexible ducts have three major components:

• A thin metal coil that creates the tube-shaped structure
• A layer of plastic encasing the coil
• An outermost layer of foil-backed fiberglass insulation

Rigid metal ducts, on the other hand, consist of only one component—a rigid, thin sheet of metal. These ducts come in rectangular pieces of sheet metal, and ductwork professionals must form the sheets into a tube shape and seal the seam. 

The sealed seam in rigid metal ducts makes them much more liable to leak than their counterpart, which is pre-sealed. 

Inefficient insulation coverage around rigid metal ducts can also reduce an HVAC system’s efficiency. Insulating ducts is critical to preventing conductive heat loss in the winter and keeping conductive heat away from cool ducts in the summer. 

While flexible ducts are pre-insulated, rigid metal ducts must be insulated by hand, introducing another opportunity for operator error. If the ducts aren’t thoroughly wrapped in batt insulation, the HVAC system will have to work harder to overcome ducts that aren’t at the optimal temperature.

#2 Flexibility

From a leak standpoint, another major boon to flexible ductwork is its flexibility (just as its name suggests).

This key difference between flexible and rigid metal ductwork may seem obvious, but flexibility is an important component in the choice between the two materials. 

• Rigid metal ductwork must run in straight lines. If the trunk line or a branching duct must curve, two straight ducts are joined by an elbow joint, which is sealed with foil tape and mastic.
• Sealing is crucial to leak prevention and successful duct installation, and any surface or connection that requires sealant is liable to leak. Since rigid metal ducts require an elbow joint to curve around obstructions in walls and attics, they’re more susceptible to potential leakage. 
• While rigid metal ducts must incorporate bent elbow joints and additional sealant to accommodate obstructions, flexible ductwork can simply bend in another direction. Unless two duct pieces are meeting at a point in the bend, there’s no foil tape, mastic, or extra joints required. Flexibility reduces the need for extra sealant, which decreases leaking risks and ensures optimal efficiency.

However, this flexibility comes with a caveat—restricted airflow.

When flexible ducts bend around an obstruction, the tube molds around the wooden joists, studs, or trusses that surround it. When the ducts bend, the tube slightly compresses, which can restrict airflow inside the duct, leading to suboptimal blowing force when the air leaves the register. 

Elbow joints are the same diameter as the rigid metal ducts they’re connecting, maintaining consistent airflow throughout the length of the vent. 

While compression and potential airflow restriction are two potential drawbacks of flexible ductwork, a trained professional will take steps to maintain consistent airflow during bending, ensuring optimal efficiency. 

#3 Cost

Flexible ductwork and rigid metal ducts often carry different price tags. Flexible ducts are typically cheaper to install because:

• They require less foil tape and mastic since they feature lower sealant requirements in general
• They’re already insulated, shaving significant time from the installation process and reducing the labor cost
• They bend easily, requiring less installation time than is needed to create a bend in rigid metal ductwork

As the prices of building materials continue to climb, materials costs alone can make a significant dent in your duct repair or replacement budget.³

Especially if you’re performing ductwork in tandem with another efficiency-improving measure in your home—like insulation installing or insulation removal—cost is likely very high on your priority list for home improvement. If you’re seeking  attic services for HOAs, there may be cost benefits or group discounts for services like flexible ductwork installation. 

If a ductwork professional determines that your duct replacement won’t require significant bends due to current register and return placement or lack of obstructions, a quote for rigid metal ductwork might be more comparable to its flexible counterpart. However, you should be wary of professionals who provide a labor quote without thoroughly examining your attic or the floor trusses between stories (to the extent that they can). 

#4 Ease of Installation

There are two major factors ductwork experts consider to estimate labor costs—obstructions in the installation area and materials used.

Some common obstructions in attics and floor joists include:

• Structural steel beams, which are typically wider than wooden studs
• Receptacles for electrical outlets, can lights, or switches
• Other HVAC equipment, like air handlers in the attic

In an installation area with numerous obstructions, the choice of duct material can make or break labor costs. Installing elbow joints takes more time than simply bending a flexible duct around a can light. In general, installing flexible ductwork is easier and less time-consuming than rigid metal ductwork. 

Unlike insulated flexible ductwork, rigid metal ducts aren’t pre-insulated. Insulation Installation  requires professionals to ensure that the metal seam is completely sealed, wrap it with batt insulation, and seal yet another seam with foil tape. This process takes significantly more time than placing and sealing pre-insulated ducts. If you’re looking to take the DIY route when working in your attic, make sure you’re treading safely by educating yourself on the electrical hazards in your attic.

Opting for an easy- and quick-to-install material will lead to reduced installation times and labor cost savings.

Give Your Ductwork a Facelift with Attic Construction

While rigid metal ducts certainly have a place in residential HVAC technology, flexible ductwork shines as an efficient, flexible, affordable, easy-to-install alternative. 

But, if you’re still on the fence about which duct material to use in your replacement project, or if you’re not even sure if your ducts need to be replaced, give our expert team a call. We can talk you through the process of cleaning, repairing, or replacing your ducts, and we’ll take a peek at your HVAC equipment as a part of our free consultation. If you’re already planning on having attic insulation construction take place in your home, it’s important to know how to prepare your attic for insulation. 

Attic Construction has been improving energy efficiency for over a decade, and we have the tools to help you reduce your energy consumption at home. Schedule a free consultation with our expert team today.

Sources: 

1. Trane. How Does Central Heating and Cooling Work? https://www.trane.com/residential/en/resources/hvac-basics/how-does-a-central-heating-cooling-system-work/ 
2. Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy. Sealed and Insulated Flex Ducts. https://basc.pnnl.gov/resource-guides/sealed-and-insulated-flex-ducts 
3. National Association of Home Builders. Building Material Prices Climbing at Record Year-to-Date Pace. https://nahbnow.com/2021/08/building-material-prices-climbing-at-record-year-to-date-pace/ 

Do you live in a neighborhood or building with a homeowner’s association (HOA)?

HOAs often set special requirements for maintenance, and proper attic maintenance is one common stipulation of living in an HOA neighborhood.

If you live in an HOA community, your HOA may provide a group rate for attic services, or you may be expected to procure your own attic services contract. 

Whether you’re a homeowner or a property manager looking for an attic services provider, the right company can offer services like attic cleaning, insulation removal, insulation installation, duct maintenance, and crawl space cleaning. In this short guide, we’ll explore the benefits of working with a single attic services provider.

What Are Attic Services for HOAs?

Property owners in HOAs are expected to cover most of the maintenance in their own units or homes. That usually includes attic maintenance.

However, HOAs are always looking for new amenities and discounts for their members. Providing services or a group rate through an attic services partner can ensure residents’ homes are well-maintained and energy-efficient all year long. Likewise, an attic services professional can maintain insulation in common areas such as lobbies (in condos), gymnasiums, and entertainment rooms.

HOAs and individual homeowners alike should look for attic maintenance professionals who can keep attics shipshape with the following services.

Attic Cleaning

Your attic accumulates dust and grime, and its insulation degrades over time. When these particles contaminate the air in your attic, they can easily enter your HVAC system, impacting your air quality.¹ 

With regular attic cleaning services, you can remove accumulated dust and dirt from your attic, preventing unwelcome materials from contaminating your household air supply. Maintaining a clean attic is one of the easiest ways to keep your interior air clean and healthy.

Attic Insulation

Attic insulation is crucial to maintaining a comfortable temperature inside of your home. 

Attic insulation improves your home’s resistance to conductive heat energy, which keeps your home comfortable year-round.²Having the proper amount of insulation in your attic can prevent warm air from infiltrating your interior air supply in the summer and keep warm air from escaping into your attic during the winter. 

With regular maintenance via an attic services contract, an insulation professional will routinely inspect your insulation for vulnerabilities, repair your insulation when needed, and suggest insulation replacement when necessary. If you’re already planning to have attic insulation construction take place in your home, it’s important to know how to prepare your attic for insulation. 

Duct Maintenance

The quality of your ductwork can make or break the efficiency of your HVAC system. If your energy bills have been steadily rising, or if your HVAC system has been running for longer than normal to reach your desired temperature, any of the following problems may apply:

• Your ducts may be leaking. Duct connections are sealed with foil tape and mastic, a spackle-like substance. These sealants fail over time, causing cooled or heated air to escape from your ducts. You might consider installing flexible ductwork if you’re having trouble with leaking ducts. Flexible ductwork in your attic is less prone to leaking because it doesn’t require any sealant.
• Your ducts could be damaged. General wear and tear on ductwork is normal, and significant duct degradation can cause leaks and low airflow through vents.
• Your ducts could be insufficiently insulated. Without proper insulation around your ducts, the air inside the ducts won’t stay cool or warm on its way to your air vents.

With regular attic services, a qualified ductwork technician will inspect your ducts for leaks, damage, and proper insulation preventing damage and fixing any potential problems as soon as they arise.

Rodent-Proofing

Unfortunately, attic insulation is the ideal habitat for rodents. Tats and mice burrow into insulation, create protective spaces for their young, and store food in the pillowy fiberglass.

When you sign up for regular attic services, a trained professional searches for signs of live and dead rodents in your attic, applying rodent-proofing methods when necessary and disposing of active or dormant rodent remains. Rodents carry over 35 diseases, and eliminating them from your home is crucial for the health of your family and pets.³

Crawl Space Cleaning

Crawl spaces are one of the easiest areas in your home to ignore. While you may not be using your crawl space for storage purposes, it’s still crucial to keep this space clean and clear of debris and pests.

A neglected crawl space can lead to:

• Wood rot in the structural elements of your home
• Pest infestations in your subfloor
• Moisture collection and mold growth underneath your subfloor

When you sign up for attic services for HOAs, you can also request regular inspection of your crawl space. By regularly inspecting your crawl space, you can get a head-start on pest prevention, structural degradation, and mold growth.  

Radiant Barriers

Radiant barriers are thin layers of plastic, metal, or foil that keep the sun’s radiant heat energy from penetrating your roofing materials and increasing the temperature of your home during sunny days.

Radiant barriers are particularly useful in the sunny summer months when keeping the cool air inside your home is critical to your comfort. Attic services include a regular inspection of your home’s radiant barrier during the hottest months of the year, optimizing your HVAC system performance and keeping your house comfortable throughout the summer. 

Attic HOA Services Made Easy with Attic Construction

When you live in or maintain a property in an HOA community, regular attic services are crucial to keeping your home comfortable and structurally sound. 

If you’re seeking attic services for HOAs, look no further than Attic Construction. For the past ten years and counting, our attic specialists have removed and replaced insulation, replaced ductwork, performed regular attic and crawl space cleanings, and more. If you’re looking to take the DIY route when working in your attic, make sure you’re treading safely by educating yourself on the electrical hazards in your attic.

Drop us a line today. 

Sources: 

1. US Environmental Protection Agency. The Inside Story: A Guide to Indoor Air Quality. https://www.epa.gov/indoor-air-quality-iaq/inside-story-guide-indoor-air-quality 
2. US Department of Energy. Insulation. https://www.energy.gov/energysaver/insulation 
3. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Rodents. https://www.cdc.gov/rodents/index.html 

You’ve tried everything you can think of to reduce your energy bill—unplugging kitchen appliances when they’re not in use, cutting back on the hot water in the shower, and diligently turning the lights off after leaving a room. But, despite all of this effort, you’re still not noticing a decrease in your household energy costs. Turns out, the culprit of your high power bill could be right over your head.

Take a peek into your attic with a flashlight. Do you see any fluffy bats of fibers or a thick blanket of downy-looking tufts? If not (or if “fluffy” or “downy” aren’t words you’d use to describe whatever’s up there), your attic needs to be insulated. Without proper attic insulation, your HVAC system has to work that much harder to keep your home cool in the summers and warm in the winters. 

Now that you’ve discovered the prime suspect in the case of the high energy bill, what comes next? In this guide, we’ll review everything you need to know about adding insulation to attic spaces. Check out our crash course below. 

What is Insulation?

To understand insulation, it’s helpful to understand what it’s regulating: heat. There are three kinds of heat flow:

• Conduction, which is when heat moves from one material to another
• Convection, which when heat is transferred in liquids and gases
• Radiation, which travels in a straight line until something absorbs its heat energy

Insulation prevents the heat energy in your attic from flowing into your home’s interior via conduction through wood, drywall, and other building materials.¹ Keep in mind that you can have both wall and attic insulation, both serving similar purposes within a home. For the sake of this article, we are going to specifically be focusing on the attic space. Since it improves your home’s resistance to heat conduction, insulation’s capacity for preventing reduction is measured by its R-value. 

While R-values aren’t as simple as “thicker insulation equals more heat resistance,” a higher R-value generally indicates a higher insulation ability to prevent heat loss and support attic ventilation. 

Fiberglass Insulation

Insulation can be made out of a variety of materials, but there are two frontrunners in terms of both popularity and availability: fiberglass and cellulose.²

Fiberglass is a fibrous, or “fluffy,” material made out of tiny shards of glass. In the case of blown-in insulation (more on that later), fiberglass insulation is made from molten glass, which usually contains some portion of recycled materials. 

Fiberglass insulation is available in a variety of densities, and more dense fiberglass generally has a higher R-value. As one of the most widespread insulation materials in the industry, insulation professionals are experts on both choosing the right product density and the best attic insulation installation method. 

Cellulose Insulation

Another popular insulation material, cellulose, is widely used in homes and commercial buildings. A few things to know about cellulose: 

• It’s made of tiny shredded paper fibers.
• These paper fibers are usually created from recycled newspapers.
• The natural cellulose fibers in paper help the shreds bind to themselves and surfaces.

Cellulose insulation is often treated (or combined) with borate or ammonium sulfate to both decrease its flammability and repel pests. However, cellulose is environmentally friendly, effective, and more economical than other insulation materials, making it a commonly-explored option for homeowners on a budget. 

Batt Insulation

Fiberglass insulation can be created into two varieties of insulation which require different installation methods: batts (also called rolls or blankets) and loose-fill (also called blown-in insulation). 

Batt insulation is likely what comes to mind when you think of insulation. Fiberglass is pressed together to form batts of various thicknesses that are cut into pieces and rolled up. Then, installers lay them between the joists on an attic floor. 

Batt insulation doesn’t require any special equipment to install, but it does require the expertise of trained and experienced insulation installers. Insulation installers ensure optimal coverage of the entire attic surface, which requires careful measurements and close attention to detail.

Blown-In Insulation

Loose-fill insulation is blown into attic spaces with a specialized blower system, which is why it’s also widely known as blown-in insulation. 

Both cellulose and fiberglass materials can be used to make blown-in insulation, which is fibrous and adheres to attic surfaces. Blown-in insulation is an excellent solution for:

• Attics with obstructions, like an air handler
• Attics with tons of nooks and crannies to insulate, such as those in a vaulted ceiling

Insulation installers use a hose with a specialized blower to disperse the loose-fill insulation around an attic space, making sure that the thickness and coverage are consistent throughout the entire attic surface. 

What Does the Insulation Process Look Like?

From start to finish, the insulation process is quite straightforward, especially for homeowners hiring insulation professionals. After agreeing to a proposed price for the work, skilled technicians make adding insulation to attic spaces look easy.

But, since you likely won’t be accompanying them into your attic, here’s what all the overhead ruckus will entail:

1. Existing Insulation is Removed

If adding insulation to attic spaces that have never been insulated before, this step is irrelevant. But in cases where a home’s attic insulation is very old, ineffective, or infested with pests, the existing insulation has to be removed before the other installation steps can begin. So what does the attic insulation removal process look like?

Insulation removal is pretty simple. There are two methods to get the job done:

1. Installers use a large, high-powered vacuum to suck existing loose-fill insulation out of your attic and into heavy-duty insulation removal bags.
2. For batt insulation, installers bring the insulation removal bags into the attic and remove each batt from the attic surface, filling the bags to be disposed of responsibly. 

Insulation removal professionals wear significant protective gear during this process to protect them from dust inhalation and exposure to pests. The attic insulation removal cost may vary depending on the home. If you are considering removing your attic insulation on your own, it is highly recommended to leave this job to the professionals. 

2. Pest Debris is Removed

During and after the old insulation removal process, the insulation installers will search for signs of live pests, dead pests, and pest droppings. They’ll remove all traces of a pest infestation, which is the first step in preventing future unwanted tenants from moving into your attic. 

Once any rodents are dealt with swiftly and thoroughly, installers take further steps to keep rodents out of your attic and away from your insulation. 

3. Rodent-Proofing is Installed

Not only will installers ensure the thorough expulsion of rodents, but they’ll seal up any visible entry points in your attic and add rodent-proof barriers to keep pests out and also reduce moisture within your attic space. 

Why is this step so important?

• Rodents around the world transmit over 30 different diseases, and even their droppings present a health risk for their human roommates.³ 
• Unfortunately, insulation is a five-star resort for rodents. It gives them a place to burrow, store food, and protect their young. 

To prevent further break-ins and infestations, insulation contractors will use wire mesh and other materials to block pest entry points and protect your attic floor from destruction by pests before blowing in loose-fill or laying batts. 

After all, what good would be done just by getting rid of the existing pest evidence? Rodent-proofing your attic not only keeps your insulation from being destroyed, but also protects the health and well-being of you, your family, and your pets. 

4. Insulation is Laid or Blown-In

Once your attic’s old insulation and any remaining pests are put out to pasture, and your attic is protected against any other wandering rodents, insulation installation can finally begin!

If you’ve chosen batt insulation for your attic, the installers will begin rolling out the batts between all of your joists. They’ll take special care to make sure that all nooks and crannies are covered. 

If you’ve chosen blown-in insulation, the installer will pull the blower hose into your attic, begin blowing loose-fill insulation onto the entire surface of your attic floor, and ensure that the material covers each area consistently. 

Once installation of the new insulation is complete, installers will clean up their extra materials, pack up all of their tools and equipment, and leave you with a freshly insulated attic. 

Can You DIY Attic Insulation?

While the processes above sound pretty straightforward, it’s not recommended that novices or hobbyists insulate their own attics. Adding new insulation to attic spaces requires careful measurements, safety precautions, and (sometimes) specialized equipment. 

Here are some additional reasons to avoid DIY attic insulation: 

• While removing old insulation from an attic, DIYers may not know what to do with their insulation debris after it’s stripped away. Insulation needs to be disposed of responsibly, and professionals are best equipped to handle the waste. 
• Handling pests (dead or alive) without professional qualifications and safety gear could result in health hazards. Untrained eyes may also not be able to spot hard-to-find rodent entry points. 
• Even though installing batt insulation doesn’t require special tools, it does require precision for adequate surface coverage. Plus, installing blown-in insulation requires a specialized blower system—equipment that isn’t available to the general public. 

While the potential of a well-earned insulation feather in your DIY cap may be tempting, hiring a professional insulation installer will ensure that your attic is insulated with the right materials, protected effectively against pests, and well-covered with insulation. 

Keep Energy Costs Low and Pests Out with Attic Construction

Adding insulation to attic spaces is an excellent way to reduce stress on your HVAC system, lower your energy bill, and keep pests out of your attic. 

At Attic Construction, we want you to see all of these outstanding results and more. Since 2011, we’ve been providing professional attic insulation installation services to families and business owners in our community. Whether its Phoenix insulation installation, Orange County rodent proofing, or San Diego attic cleaning…we’ve got you covered in multiple states! We’re confident that our commitment to quality—in materials, installation, and customer service—makes us the best choice for your attic insulation needs. 

Let us help you cut back on energy costs, invest in your home, and increase your comfort. Contact us for a free consultation. 

Sources: 

1. US Department of Energy. How Insulation Works. https://www.energy.gov/energysaver/insulation 
2. US Department of Energy. Insulation Materials. https://www.energy.gov/energysaver/insulation-materials 
3. US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Rodents. https://www.cdc.gov/rodents/index.html 

You likely purchased your home because it ticked all of your boxes. Maybe it had space for a pool in the backyard, a perfect playroom for the kids, or brand new kitchen appliances. But when you were house-hunting, how many attics did you peer into?

If your energy bills are balk-worthy (especially in the summer), the problem may be right under your nose—or right over your head. If your attic isn’t insulated (or if the attic insulation is past its prime), you could be losing money on your utility bills and unnecessarily sacrificing your comfort. 

But, is the cost of insulating your attic space (or replacing the insulation that’s already there) worth it? When considering attic insulation costs vs. savings, the simple answer is yes. To learn more about why you should insulate your attic, let’s explore how exactly attic insulation can reduce your household costs. 

How Will Attic Insulation Save You Money?

There are several ways that insulating your attic can lead to significant savings. While reduced energy costs and improved HVAC system efficiency are the primary aims of proper attic insulation, an equally important cost-saving impact of new insulation is keeping pests out of your home. 

Reduced Energy Costs

Before we get to everyone’s favorite topic—pest control—let’s explore the most widely known benefit of attic insulation. 

A reduction in energy costs is one of the most significant ways that attic insulation will impact your household costs. By adding a layer of insulation (whether it’s brand new, supplemental, or a replacement) to your attic, you increase your home’s R-value. 

R-value, or “resistance value,” is a quantitative measurement of your home’s resistance to heat transfer. By adding insulation to your attic, you can prevent hot air from transferring from your attic into your air-conditioned home. This, in turn, has the following effects:

• When insulation works effectively, it keeps hot air in your attic. As a result, your HVAC system doesn’t have to work as hard to keep the inside of your home cool. This helps ensure your system’s longevity. 
• The less your HVAC system runs, the less electricity it uses, and the less money you spend on your energy bill. 

And, of course, a reduction in energy use will make your home even more energy-efficient. Adding insulation to your attic will trim the fat from your energy bill and your carbon footprint. 

Increased Pest Resistance

In addition to decreasing your energy bill (and increasing your home’s energy efficiency), a fresh layer of insulation can also keep pests out of your home. If you’re looking to get rid of rats in your attic, new insulation can help.

The three most common rodents found in American households—Norway rats, roof rats, and house mice—spread diseases, make noises that can impact sleep, and destroy your home.¹ While you can eliminate your unwanted tenants using traps and poison, these can be difficult to maintain and dangerous to your family’s furry friends. 

During both first-time insulation installations and full replacements, insulation contractors clear all pests and pest debris from your attic before rodent-proofing the space. Attic rodent-proofing is worth every penny saved in pest control, pest prevention, and repairs to your home’s structural elements, especially when you consider that rodents love insulation. Old insulation provides a perfect medium for burrowing, and once rodents have found a way into your attic, it can be hard to completely evict them. 

However, with a new attic insulation installation, you can kill two birds—err, rats—with one stone: Insulation contractors will rodent-proof your attic to prevent further infestations before installing new insulation. 

Let’s Run the Numbers

Proper attic insulation will save you money—in energy costs and pest control efforts—theoretically. But for the math-oriented among us, we’ve detailed a few energy cost scenarios below. 

Each scenario only considers attic insulation energy savings, since it’s hard to generalize money spent on pest control, prevention, and restoration efforts. But, the evidence to support financial benefit in the attic insulation cost vs. savings lies in reduced energy costs alone. 

Scenario 1: The First-Time Homeowner

According to the EPA, it’s estimated that homeowners can save an average of 15% on their utility bills after adding insulation to their homes.² In California, one person uses an average of 572 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per month and pays an average price of $0.2245 per kWh.³ 

With those figures in mind, let’s explore the savings potential for the first-time homeowner who is looking to replace old insulation.

In a home in California with two residents, the average yearly energy cost would be $3,081.94. This breaks down like so:

• 2 residents x 572kWh/month = 1,144kWh/month
• 1,144kWh x $0.2245/kWh = $256.83/month
• $256.83/month x 12 months = $3,081.94/year

But, with new attic insulation, this home could see a 15% reduction in yearly energy costs, averaging $462.29. 

With an extra $462.29 in their pockets, the two residents of this home could invest in further home improvement projects or purchase a new appliance. Additionally, increased energy efficiency would add value to their home for years to come, resulting in additional profits if they chose to sell in the future. 

Scenario 2: The Family Home

With more people comes more energy usage. For families of four living in average-sized California homes, energy costs represent a significant portion of monthly bills: 

• 4 residents x 572kWh/month = 2,288kWh/month
• 2,288kWh x $0.2245/kWh = $513.66/month
• $513.66/month x 12 months = $6,163.87/year

Even with two full-time incomes, spending over $500 a month to keep the lights on is a hefty price to pay. The average family could reduce their energy costs by:

• Decreasing their washing machine, dryer, and kitchen appliance usage
• Watching less TV
• Convincing their kids to cut down on their cell phone charging

But, attic insulation could significantly reduce their energy bills without disrupting their quality of life. With an average savings of 15%, a family of four could save $924.58 each year after installing new insulation in their attic.

An extra $900 a year to spend on groceries, clothes, or school supplies would make an enormous difference for working families. Installing attic insulation would keep the average Californian family of four cooler and give them some extra spending money.

Types of Attic Insulation

Attics can be insulated with a variety of different materials, but the most common and effective options are:

• Fiberglass, which is made of extremely fine glass fibers
• Cellulose, which is created from recycled paper products⁴

These materials are then formed into one of the following:

• Batts – Also called rolls, batt insulation is cut to fit between each joist in your attic space.
• Loose-fill – Also called blown-in, this insulation is installed with a specialized blower system.

Let’s explore those two types in more detail. 

Batting Insulation

Even if you didn’t know what it was called until now, batt insulation is the most well-known variety. 

• This type of insulation is cut into sheets, rolled up, and unrolled between joists during installation. 
• It’s sometimes sold in home improvement stores since it’s the most accessible type of insulation for DIY renovation projects and doesn’t require any special equipment to install. 

But, despite not needing any specialized equipment, insulation installers are highly trained to place batting insulation for optimal efficiency and effectiveness. This means making sure that the insulation covers as much of the attic as possible. 

The construction trade has been using batts for generations. If you’re in an older home and peek into your attic, you’ll most likely see batting insulation. 

Blown-In Insulation

Both batting and blown-in insulation require installation by trained professionals to ensure optimal performance. But unlike batting insulation, blown-in insulation also requires special equipment. In fact, this type of loose-fill insulation is known as blown-in insulation because it requires a specialized blower system for insulation. 

To install this insulation, a professional will send a long tube up into the attic to disperse the insulation between the floor joists, ensuring that every nook and cranny of the attic floor is thoroughly covered. 

Blown-in insulation can provide excellent coverage for:

• Attics with obstructions (such as air handlers)
• Attics with existing insulation 

1. Loose-fill will settle a bit after installation. But, unlike batts, (where thickness is one of the most important variables in determining insulation R-values), the resistance of heat flow from the attic into your home isn’t directly proportional to the thickness of blown-in insulation.⁵ 

Since determining R-value isn’t the most straightforward calculation, relying upon a professional insulation installer to help you choose the best insulation option for your home is paramount. They can assess your needs, your home’s condition, and your budget to find the best product for insulating your attic.

Attic Insulation: A Great Choice for All Seasons

Installing attic insulation can increase your home’s energy efficiency, reduce your energy bill, keep pests out, and improve your quality of life. 

And at Attic Construction, quality is what we do. We’ve been using high-quality materials, providing outstanding work, and ensuring unmatched customer service since our inception in 2011. Whether your attic doesn’t have any insulation, you think your insulation might need to be replaced, or you suspect your insulation has become a rodent habitat, we’re here to help. 

With improved HVAC system performance and a lower energy bill, there’s no question in the attic insulation cost vs. savings debate: By installing new attic insulation, you’ll do your finances (and everyone in your home) a favor. 

Sources: 

1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Chapter 4: Disease Vectors and Pests. https://www.cdc.gov/nceh/publications/books/housing/cha04.htm
2. Energy Star. Why Seal and Insulate?  https://www.energystar.gov/campaign/seal_insulate/why_seal_and_insulate 
3. US Energy Information Administration. Electric Power Monthly. https://www.eia.gov/electricity/monthly/epm_table_grapher.php?t=epmt_5_6_a 
4. US Department of Energy. Insulation Materials. https://www.energy.gov/energysaver/insulation-materials 
5. US Department of Energy. How Insulation Works. https://www.energy.gov/energysaver/insulation 

When most people make a plan to insulate their homes, the attic is the first place they think to install that fluffy pink material.

But did you know that improperly insulated walls can also cost you time, energy, and money in the long run? That’s because walls, like attics, are major components in regulating heat flow in your home. 

For the most cost-efficient, comfortable living environment, it’s best to insulate both your attic and your walls. That said, there are important differences between attic insulation and wall insulation that you should know about.

In this short guide, we’ll cover the important differences are location, type, and R-value requirements.

Location, Location, Location

It may seem obvious that attic insulation is installed in the attic, while wall insulation is installed in the walls. However, given the unique features of both spaces, it’s worth going over their layouts in more detail before you start replacing your existing insulation.

Attic Insulation

In many modern homes, the attic is the large rectangular or square space beneath the roof and above the main living space. The following are the main components of the typical attic:¹

• Rafters
• Perpendicular joints
• Sheathing made of plywood

To properly insulate your attic, install new insulation between the attic’s perpendicular joists. You may also want to do an attic insulation installation between wall joists and around windows. 

Walls

Although there are several types of walls, wooden walls are the most common in the modern home. A wooden wall’s layout dictates where insulation should go.

Most wooden walls contain the following:²

• Top and bottom plates
• Studs (wall, cripple, and trimmer)
• Fire blocks

To properly insulate your walls, install home insulation in the spaces between wall studs. You may also need to hand-cut smaller pieces of insulation so that you can insulate small cavities around windows and doors.

Material Type

Given the distinct layouts of attics and walls, you’ll likely need different types of insulation to properly insulate these two spaces. This is because walls are largely uniform in terms of the spacing between studs while attics may feature irregular spacing or obstacles between joists.

Below, we’ve broken down the most common home insulation types for attics and walls.

Attics

As stated above, an attic space is often irregularly spaced. Due to this layout, the following insulation types are most commonly used in attics:

• Loose-fill – Perfect for small spaces and irregular cavities, loose-fill insulation is constructed from various recycled materials, including fiberglass and plastic. The most common way to install loose-fill insulation is with a hose and blower. The loose-fill installation is simply blown into spaces in need of adequate insulation. However, if you’d like to save money, you can install loose-fill insulation by hand instead of hiring a professional for blown installation.
• Blanket – When most people think of easily installable insulation for an attic space, they picture blanket insulation. This type of insulation comes in two forms: batts and rolls. Batt insulation is insulation cut into panels, while roll insulation comes in pre-cut rolls. If the space between joists is relatively uniform, blanket insulation can be ideal. However, if the space is irregular or filled with obstacles, blanket insulation may not cover every square inch.

Walls

While blanket and loose-fill insulation can be good for walls, the best insulation for walls is foam board or rigid foam insulation.³

This is because foam board insulation is moisture resistant, making it perfect for basement walls and/or walls exposed to the elements.

Foam board insulation has the following properties:

• Constructed from various synthetic resins, such as polystyrene
• Easy to apply with a special adhesive made specifically for foam boards
• High R-values compared to the material’s thickness

R-Value Requirements

An insulation material’s R-value is a measurement of its ability to regulate heat flow. The higher its R-value, the more efficient the insulation material is at reducing heat flow.

Due to their different properties, attics and walls have different R-value requirements. These requirements largely stem from the home’s location, but, in general, wall R-value ranges are lower than attic R-values.

Let’s take a look at a few R-value ranges for attics based on location:⁴

• Zone 3 – Comprising most of the South, Zone 3 homes have attic R-values between R30-R60. 
• Zone 5 – Homes in Zone 5 are largely located in the West and Mid-Atlantic. They require attic R-values ranging between R38-R60.
• Zone 7 – Constituting the northernmost parts of the contiguous U.S., homes in Zone 7 have attic R-values between R49-R60.

While these three zones have three different sets of insulation R-value requirements for attic spaces, homes in any geographic area can benefit from wall insulation with R-values between R13-R15 for 2X4 walls and R19-21 for 2X6 walls.

Attic Construction: For All Your Insulation Needs

So, which kind of new insulation will make the biggest difference in your air quality and energy bills? Properly insulating your walls and your attic with appropriate material can make all the difference in your comfort and your energy expenditure. 

Instead of stressing over the differences between attic insulation vs wall insulation, let Attic Construction help. 

In addition to providing high-quality services ranging from crawl space cleaning to insulation removal, Attic Construction gives you the knowledge to make the best decisions for your family, home, and wallet. We are also available in different locations, so if you are searching for attic insulation removal in San Diego, perhaps Phoenix insulation installation, we’re here to get the job done.

Attic Construction is a well-established company offering a wide range of attic services from insulation removal, installation and decontamination. We are available in different locations from San Diego, Phoenix and Orange County, so if you have been searching for an expert for insulation in San Diego or have been searching for attic decontamination in Orange County, we got you covered.

Get in touch with us today to see how we can insulate your attic and walls the right way. 

Sources:

1. Fine Homebuilding. Open attic storage. https://www.finehomebuilding.com/2001/07/01/open-attic-storage
2. HomeTips. How Walls Are Built. https://www.hometips.com/how-it-works/interior-wood-wall-paneling.html
3. Bob Vila. All You Need to Know About Types of Insulation. https://www.bobvila.com/articles/types-of-insulation/
4. John Manville. What R-value Do I Need? https://www.jm.com/en/homeowner-insulation/homeowner-faq/what-r-value-do-i-need-/