Ceiling Insulation - Cost-Effective Energy Measure

Ceiling insulation is one other important insulation to protect the inside of the house from outside cold. It is also among the better cost-effective energy efficiency measures. Among the many parts of the house, one of the easiest parts to insulate is the attic over a flat ceiling.

However, in today’s homes, the day’s fashion is the use of cathedral ceilings. The other one is having attic walls with unique insulation needs. From a practical point, it is always important in insulating the ceilings, whatever type, properly.

Attic insulation

You need to ensure (and check first) some certain things when you decide to do your attic insulation project. One important consideration is to have air leaks through the top floor be completely sealed off.

The insulation levels must also meet (or exceed) local building codes. You need to provide space for both insulation and air flow from the vents at the eaves. This needs to be continuous.

The attic space intended for storage do need an underneath space for the full insulation. The attic access doors have to be insulated and sealed. Also, the knee walls need ample insulation and a barrier that will seal the air.

Procedures

Among the favorites typically installed in an attic is a loose-fill or batt insulation. With it, you have to put the backing next to the ceiling for the batts with the attached vapor retarders.

Installation costs vary, but blown-in loose-fill attic insulation (usually fiberglass, rock wool or cellulose) is typically less expensive than the batts. In addition, they also provide better coverage.

Loose-fill 

When installing loose-fill, you need to seal all attics to home air leaks with chases, bypasses and furr-downs. Insulation like fiberglass and rock wool do not actually stop air flow.

Next, you need to follow clearance requirements for heat-producing equipment found in the attic like flues or exhaust fans. The other blocking requirement might be dictated by the local building codes. You can use metal flashing, plastic or cardboard batt files or pieces of batt or rigid insulation blocking.

You need to install rafter baffles to preserve ventilation from soffit vents at the eave of the roof. Use insulation dams at the soffit, porch, and garage and attic access to ensure full coverage and reduce spills.

Insulate the access to the attic by attaching a piece of batt insulation. Get complete coverage of the insulation at consistent depths. You need to use attic rulers to show blown depth.

Batts 

Seal the attics to home air leaks, chases and furr-downs. Fiberglass and rock wool do not stop air flow. Block around heat-producing appliances. It is important to cover the top of the ceiling joints or bottom cords of truss with insulation.

Get the complete coverage of full thickness and non-compressed insulation. You need to fill the joints cavities when installing the batts. If the joist spacing is uneven, patch the gaps in the insulation with scrap pieces. Do not compress the insulation with wiring, plumbing or duct work. For the R-values in cathedral ceiling insulation, R-19 is usual, but R-25 and R-38 are recommended.