How Many Inches Of Insulation Should Be In My Attic

It is not uncommon to see 15 to 20 of insulation in a well insulated attic.

How many inches of insulation should be in my attic.

Department of energy it s recommended that attics have an r 38 to r 49 or about 12 to 15 of fiberglass or cellulose insulation. The recommended level for most attics is to insulate to r 38 or about 10 to 14 inches depending on insulation type. Find your zone on the map and then use the chart to determine the level of insulation you need to properly insulate your attic walls floors and crawlspaces. Here are the most popular options for attic insulation along with a ballpark figure on pricing.

Use unfaced insulation when adding more insulation to an attic that already has some insulation laying the rolls or batts at right angles to the floor joists. Once you ve determined the r value of insulation you need to decide which type of insulation you will use. Inspecting your attic insulation. The thicker the better.

Existing 3 4 inches of insulation. This flexible insulation material is most often packaged in rolls that come in various thicknesses and standard widths usually 16 inches and 24 inches to fit between joists or studs in a house s framing. You ll need about 12 inches of insulation material. According to the u s.

Achieving greater r values in attics the higher the r value the better the thermal performance of the insulation. In temperate coastal areas such as zone 3 attic insulation of at least r30 up to a maximum of r60 is recommended. Add the right kind of insulation when adding additional insulation you do not have to use the same type of insulation that currently exists in your attic. For loose fill cellulose this translates to a total depth ranging from 8 inches.

First things first you need to go up into your attic inspect the condition of the insulation and calculate the current level of insulation. If your attic insulation is only a few inches thick or if you can see the ceiling joists you re wasting money on your heating and cooling bills. The insulation in your attic should be at least 12 thick. They come with or without a paper or foil facing that acts as a vapor barrier.

Recommended insulation levels for retrofitting existing wood framed buildings.