Attic Insulation Raleigh, NCOf all the places in your home in Raleigh, North Carolina, your attic is most important to insulate. Attic insulation installed by professional insulation contractors in Raleigh minimizes the heating and cooling costs of your home. Proper attic insulation also prevents damage to your home due to moisture accumulated between your ceilings and roof.
Having insulation contractors install the right attic insulation will also help extend your roof's life, especially in the hotter southwest region of our country. Well insulated attics also ensure healthier air and easier breathing in your home. Energy prices continue to go up everywhere, and most of the energy loss in a home or commercial building goes through the attic. Experts say as much as 60% of heat or cold air loss occurs through walls and the attic. Adding attic insulation yourself or hiring a commercial or residential insulation contractor from the Raleigh, North Carolina area to do it will reduce your energy bills.
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Extreme heat in your attic can cause the shingles on your roof to swell and crack. A sweltering attic will also cause the plywood to soften and warp. Roof temperatures in the southwest can get up to 120 degrees. Cooling off the attic space will reduce the strain on the roof.
If your attic is not insulated, the temperature change that happens with seasons causes moisture to be trapped in the attic. That moisture can then drip through ceilings and walls, causing dramatic damage. By adding attic insulation to your Raleigh, North Carolina home, and keeping the temperature changes up there to a minimum, you will prevent moisture from accumulating and avoid leak damage to ceilings and walls in the rooms below. Wall insulation, crawlspace insulation as well as attic insulation in Raleigh, North Carolina structures, creates a barrier between the air not treated by your HVAC system and the healthier air that is treated. Not only does your HVAC system heat or cool the air, but it also filters it. Your HVAC system filters dust, dirt, mold, mildew, and other pollutants and irritants. Keeping the unhealthy air from the unconditioned attic space out will keep your family breathing more comfortable. |
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What’s the Best Insulation for the Attic?
The best type of attic insulation for your Raleigh, NC home, depends on what you mean by best. Your can choose fiberglass insulation, cellulose insulation, rock wool insulation or spray foam insulation. Some attic insulation is easier to install, some least expensive, some longer lasting, some better at waterproofing, some better for the environment, and others healthier for you and your family. The Raleigh, North Carolina climate is also a factor in your attic insulation decision.
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Blown-In InsulationThere are two types, fiberglass, and cellulose. Fiberglass provides an R-value of about 3.1-3.4 per inch and cellulose 3.2 to 3.7 per inch of insulation. Some blown-in insulation uses recycled content, which helps the environment. How long this attic insulation lasts depends on the climate, but it will begin to compress within 10-15 years.
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Fiberglass BattsYou are probably familiar with these big rolls of fiberglass and foil you cut and fit into the spaces you need to insulate. For open attic spaces, you can DYI install reasonably easily. R-value per inch is about 2.9-3.8 per inch. Expect fiberglass insulation to last between 10 and 15 years. It may last longer in the best conditions but will begin to lose effectiveness.
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Rock WoolHas an R-value of between 3.0 and 3.3 per inch and has the added advantage of being fire-resistant. Compared to fiberglass, rock wool in a Raleigh, North Carolina home or business also provides better sound insulation. Rock wool is a quick, easy DIY project. This attic insulation typically lasts 10-20 years.
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Spray Foam InsulationThere are several types of spray foam insulation: open cell, closed cell, and high density. Open cell is the least expensive and is the best at sound insulation. Closed-cell creates a better water barrier, adds to structural strength, and has the highest R-Value (an industry measurement of insulating ability). Installing spray foam insulation in a Raleigh, North Carolina home or commercial building has many advantages, but it will also cost you the most in the short run. In the long run, spray foam insulation in your attic will save you the most. Spray foam insulation will last for as many years as your home lasts. The extra investment may be worth it if you plan to stay in your home. Spray foam attic insulation in a Raleigh, North Carolina house will increase the value of your home if you are planning to sell. Home buyers look for energy efficient, wind resistant attics.
Spray foam insulation provides the best moisture barrier, adds structural strength, and prevents pests from entering your home. If your attic has unusual architectural aspects like dormer windows, spray foam insulation will work well around them. Because the foam fills any holes that let noise, air, water, or pests get into your attic, your home becomes cleaner, quieter, and more energy-efficient. |
How much does attic insulation cost?
Typically, the cost of attic insulation for your home in Raleigh, North Carolina, runs between $1700 and $2,100 depending on the type of attic insulation you choose. You can plan on spending between $1.50 and $3.50 per square foot. The least expensive option is blown-in insulation, but it does not last as long as spray foam insulation. Batts or rolls of fiberglass insulation would be a moderate-priced alternative and work fine for between joists in the attic floor and roof. Attic spray foam insulation, either open-cell or closed-cell, costs the most but does best in many ways and lasts the longest (actually, lasts as long as the house lasts. You will never need to replace it.)
Where can I buy attic insulation if I want to do it myself?
All types of attic insulation and machinery and equipment needed to apply them are available at your local Raleigh, North Carolina DIY store. Whether you decide on rolls of fiberglass information, bags of cellulose insulation, blown-in, or spray foam insulation, you will find many options online or at your local hardware store.
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Can I add insulation over existing attic insulation?You can sometimes add insulation over existing insulation. But there are many ways to get the process wrong. Keep in mind that newer insulations are more effective than insulation from 30 years ago. As old insulation breaks down, it creates gaps that can fill with dirt, moisture, and mold.
Before deciding how to proceed, you must inspect the old attic insulation in your Raleigh, North Carolina attic and remove anything wet, compressed, or stained. If you find damp or stained attic insulation, you should determine why and prevent it from happening to any new attic insulation. Seal up any leaks. If you have cellulose insulation, you might consider removing and replacing it with new attic insulation. If any attic insulation in a Raleigh, North Carolina house has been compressed, its effectiveness is compromised but does continue to have some insulation value. Cellulose attic insulation traps dust, mold, and other allergens as air move through it. If your house was built before 1990, and you come across lightweight, grainy, loose insulation with shiny flecks, you could be dealing with asbestos. Contact an attic insulation contractor in Raleigh, North Carolina, for help. |
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How to put new insulation over oldHow you put new insulation over old has rules and cautions, too. Never put faced (insulation with a moisture barrier) over old insulation. Doing so will cause moisture to be trapped in the old insulation, leading to mold, leaks, and insulation breakdown. You should never tack down or flatten the new insulation into the floor or roof joists. Rolled or batt fiberglass insulation should always be installed perpendicular to the joists.
Do the research on properly installing new attic insulation over old in your Raleigh, North Carolina home, and consider reasons you might not want to. You might want to contact an attic insulation contractor in Raleigh, North Carolina, and leave replacing or adding to your attic insulation to the experts.
If you are doing it yourself, you need to know how to remove and dispose of the old attic insulation. Removing and getting rid of old insulation can also be tricky. Carefully vacuum loose or blown-in insulation with a 19-horsepower vacuum cleaner and a collection bag with 200 square feet of capacity. You will probably have to stop often to clear the hose of debris and tie off full bags. Check your local laws and regulations about attic insulation in Raleigh, North Carolina for disposal. There are also specific recommendations when you dispose of fiberglass insulation. You can’t just take them to the trash can for regular pick up. |
Contact Us
Adding additional insulation will help insulate your attic if the old insulation is still good, and you do the job correctly. If you decide on replacing your present attic insulation with spray foam insulation and you would instead hire professional attic insulation contractors, contact us here at Raleigh Spray Foam Insulation for a free estimate.
Our experienced professionals will access your present situation, make recommendations, and provide a quote free of charge. Our rates are reasonable, and you may find that doing it yourself won’t save you as much as you thought. The savings you'll get on your energy bills will pay you back in a short time. Our attic insulation experts will remove and dispose of old insulation, install clean spray foam insulation, and leave you with a cleaner, more comfortable, energy-efficient home. Contact us today.
Our experienced professionals will access your present situation, make recommendations, and provide a quote free of charge. Our rates are reasonable, and you may find that doing it yourself won’t save you as much as you thought. The savings you'll get on your energy bills will pay you back in a short time. Our attic insulation experts will remove and dispose of old insulation, install clean spray foam insulation, and leave you with a cleaner, more comfortable, energy-efficient home. Contact us today.