Pros and Cons of Different Attic Insulation Materials

Getting proper attic insulation done is a surefire way to lower energy costs and increase the comfort level of your home. Sadly, not all homeowners get to feel this comfort because about 90% of U.S homes are inadequately insulated. That implies they’re missing out on comfortable living and the financial benefits that improved attic insulation offers.

It’s critical to comprehend how insulation is evaluated before weighing the advantages and disadvantages of various attic and home insulation materials. An “R-value” reflects how well insulation regulates the movement of hot and cold air through your house. In the Los Angeles area, it’s advised to use insulation materials of R-30 to R-60 in uninsulated attics. The higher the R-value, the better the material.

Let’s start by discussing the four most popular insulation options: spray foam, cellulose, fiberglass batt, and blown-in fiberglass. Although there are more possibilities, these four materials account for most installations. Let’s take a look at them one by one.

Filename: Technician-mask-fiberglass-insulation

Alt-text: A technician in mask installing fiberglass insulation

Fiberglass Batt Insulation

Fiberglass batt insulation is the oldest and most popular insulation material used by insulation contractors. It’s been a popular choice among homeowners and maintained its popularity over many years.

Batts are large sheets of material that have been rolled up and joined together with a chemical vapor. The vapor functions as glue.

Why are fiberglass batt insulation products so well-liked? Let’s find out by taking a look at some of its advantages:

• The vapor barrier is flame-resistant and prevents the onset of fires.
• Insulation made of fiberglass batts hardly degrades or crumbles. The air pockets that develop during manufacture are the reason behind this.
• The insulation installation process is simple. In fact, several homeowners opt to do it themselves. By using this path, you would avoid paying an installation cost. Although, for safety purposes, it’s better to let a professional insulation contractor take care of it.

Cons

• Since it’s made of glass, there is a high risk of injury.
• In addition, touching or inhaling the vapor employed as a barrier may be dangerous.
• It doesn’t work well with moisture. If it gets wet, you’ll find it does a terrible job retaining heat. Additionally, if it dries out at all, it may take an extremely long period.

Blown-in Fiberglass Insulation

If you’re not too keen on using batts, then blown-in fiberglass is also an option. It uses the same material except for vapor. The material is blown with the help of a blowing machine. Here are some of its advantages:

• Employing the blown-in fiberglass technique results in an airtight attic.
• It consequently plugs any cracks or crevices, even in tight spaces. As a result, less cold air enters, and less hot air escapes.
• When you use the distribution technique, insulation installation becomes faster, and it’s up and running in no time.
• Since it doesn’t require vapor, it enhances the house’s air quality. Families with allergies will largely benefit from this.

Cons

• If the insulation becomes wet, it is more difficult to remove than fiberglass batts.
• It requires more care than the other kinds of attic insulation on this list.

Cellulose Insulation

This is made up of shredded and recycled paper fused with boric acid. This serves as an insect repellent and makes it fire-resistant. If you’d like to add the insulation yourself, you can purchase these bundles from the local home improvement store. Caution: If you don’t have the expertise to deal with such material, it’s better to let insulation contractors handle it. They won’t make a mess and will provide attic cleaning services as well.

Whether you want to add it to your West Covina home or San Fernando Valley property, this insulation will get the job done—but beware that it does create a lot of dust. If you employ a professional, they will use wet-spray cellulose, with a tiny bit of water added to it to help manage the dust and somewhat boost the insulation value per inch. A good insulation company will help you determine whether this kind of cellulose is the best choice for you.

There are a few cons related to this method:

• Boric acid must have boron in it to be produced, yet mining boron is destructive to the environment.
• Mold may quickly develop if the insulation gets wet.
• It’s labor-intensive.

Spray-Foam Insulation

This is the only insulation that is present in liquid form. It expands and hardens after being sprayed, then settles into foam. This foam fits nicely into any gaps, sealing airtight and closing off any openings through which your heating could escape. Some of its advantages are:

• It’s an effective long-term solution because it settles well after being sprayed and doesn’t wither over time like fiberglass.
• The R-Value of spray foam is great, ranging between 3.8–7 per inch. Your home’s structural support is increased by the foam.
• It’s highly energy efficient since it fills any gaps incredibly efficiently.
• It doesn’t have any vapor barrier.

Some of its cons are:

• The spray foam might cause or exacerbate water damage if any gaps or holes are left after installation.
• The foam-making materials are hazardous to handle and can cause rashes or swelling if it comes in contact with the skin.

If you cannot decide which insulation you should go for, hire reputable insulation contractors. They’re an insulation company in Los Angeles that provides home, crawlspace, ceiling, and attic insulation. From picking out the right materials to using the correct method, their insulation contractors are well-trained to handle any job. People looking to reduce their monthly energy costs and control humidity levels can benefit from the company’s insulation services.

They also offer attic cleaning, air sealing, AC, duct, and vent replacement, among others. Get in touch with them today and get 10% off all next-day home inspection services.