What is attic insulation, and why is it important?
Attic insulation is any material installed between the roof decking of your home and the ceiling. This material may be foam or fiberglass, but more on that later.
Attic insulation reduces energy loss through conduction, air infiltration, radiation, and natural convection. When it’s hot out, you want to keep your home cool, and when it’s cold out, you want to keep your home warm; this is what attic insulation does.
If your home didn’t have attic insulation, your air conditioning unit and the furnace would continue to work overtime to maintain a comfortable temperature. That would be costly and wasteful.
The different types of attic insulation.
There are different types of attic insulation, and they’re made of different materials. In Texas, you typically find fiberglass batt, spray in, or blown-in insulation.
Fiberglass batt insulation is just that: fiberglass fibers compressed into batts. You’ve probably seen these in rolls at the hardware store or the pink fluffy stuff as you’re walking around your attic. It’s prevalent and relatively affordable.
Another common type is blown-in insulation; it consists of loose filling material, typically cellulose or foam. This type of insulation can be blown into hard-to-reach spaces using a particular machine. It does a great job at insulating, and installation is pretty inexpensive. It’s also a great option if you’re simply trying to add to your already existing attic insulation.
Spray-in insulation is foam insulation that’s sprayed into place. This type of insulation is typically the most expensive but provides the highest R-value. It’s great for filling gaps since it expands quickly and seals out air leaks.
Each of these types of insulation is measured in what is called an R-value. R-value is a measure of how well insulation resists heat flow. The higher the R-value, the better the insulation, the more you’re going to save on your energy bills. You’re probably going to pay more for a higher R-value as well, so keep that in mind as we discuss which is best for you.
How to choose the right type of insulation for your home.
Now that you have a general understanding of the various types of attic insulation, you’re probably wondering which is the best attic insulation for your Texas home.
Let’s start by acknowledging that Texas has its own unique weather compared to the rest of the US. There’s hot and dry desert on one side, while on the other side, it’s hot and humid. And then there’s the occasional snowpocalypse like what struck the Lone Star State in February 2021. In general, however, it’s hotter in Texas than most other states, which means you can get away with a lower R-value than homes in, say, Michigan.
This is because, for the most part, in Texas, you don’t have to worry about sub-zero winters (as often) as other places. When the temperatures are low, you’ll want your insulation to keep heat in. As we all know, heat rises, therefore leaves your home through the ceiling. Thicker insulation is consequently required in colder temperatures to help keep homes warm; in Texas, not as critical.
According to Energy Star, an EPA program that helps consumers identify the energy-efficient products that are right for them, Texas residents should insulate their homes between R30 and R60. They base this on the average temperatures within a region.
As we discussed, lower R-values will not perform as well as higher R-values, but they’ll be less expensive as well. As you’re considering the different types, you will want to balance performance against your budget. Sure, spray-in insulation at a high R-value is excellent and will perform well; it will cost you more than the others.
So what is the best attic insulation for homes in Texas?
Based on our experience, the best attic insulation for homes in Texas is blown-in fiberglass insulation. This insulation provides excellent insulating properties while being reasonably cost-effective compared to the other options. After all, you’re probably looking to upgrade your insulation to save money, so saving money on the installation makes sense.
Given that you need special equipment to install blown-in fiberglass insulation, you’ll probably need a professional to do the installation. It’s a quick and easy process if you have the equipment on hand and know what you’re doing.
Another downside of this insulation is losing its R-value over time. As the fiberglass chunks begin to settle, the insulating layer will get thinner and lose some of its insulating properties. That’s not to say it won’t last years, but compared to spray-in foam insulation, it won’t last as long.
Are you ready to upgrade your insulation?
If you’re looking for more information on different types of insulation or how to get the proper insulation for your home, contact us, we can help. We perform a range of services that can make your home more energy-efficient such as window installation and blown-in attic insulation. Our professionals understand what it takes to handle the rough Texas weather.