ATT

Attic Retrofitting

Chances are good that your home could benefit from Cellulose Insulation being added to your attic. Many homes have inadequate insulation—often none at all in older homes! Or your attic may be insulated with fiberglass that is doing a poor job. If needed, cellulose can be easily applied over existing insulation. Researchers at Oak Ridge National Laboratories found that capping loose-fill fiberglass insulation with cellulose not only adds R-value, it actually restores the effective R-value that fiberglass insulation loses during cold weather. Researchers also learned that capping fiberglass with more fiberglass "fails to restore the lost R-value" lost in winter condition.

Cellulose insulation forms a seamless blanket of natural fibers that provide outstanding protection from the elements. Best of all, on the hottest and coldest days, (when you need it most), cellulose insulation won't lose R-value like fiberglass Cellulose insulation has an R-value of 3.8 per inch (nearly twice as much as typical blown fiberglass).

Prior to Insulating, Ventilation is Installed as per Local Building Code. The Edges of the Attic are Blown First to Ensure a Tight Thermal Seal. Attic is then Backfilled to Specified Depth, Leaving a Complete Blanket of Insulation

Retro Attic in process and completion.

Attic Insulation

Attic Insulation FAQ's
1) The 1^st place to invest - But How much is enough?

2) What is R value?

3) How can I tell if I have enough R value insulation?

4) Won't that much insulation block my eve vents?

5) What types of insulation do professionals use?

6) What types of blown insulation are available?

The 1^st place to invest - But How much is enough?
While village, town and county codes vary widely. The Department of Energy's Recommendation for this area is minimum R 38 value up to R49 optimum.

What is R value?
R-value is a unit of measurement of resistance to heat flow. The higher the R value the more heat you retain in the winter and the more heat you keep out in the summer.

How can I tell if I have enough R value insulation?
As a Rule of thumb R38 translates into 14'' of insulation.

Won't that much insulation block my eve vents?
It can if not properly dealt with. Eve venting is critical to your homes well being. Lack of eve venting can cause ice dams, roof deterioration, insulation degradation, roof deck rot, and mold growth. That is why a professional in home estimate/evaluation is recommended.

What types of insulation do professionals use?
Each type of insulation is best suited for a particular application. For attic retrofit insulation professionals recommend blown (loose fill) over batts (rolled) insulation. See comparison chart below.

BENEFIT	LOOSE-FILL (BLOWN)	BATT
FULL COVERAGE IN ALL AREAS TO ELIMINATE HEAT LEAKAGE	YES! PROVIDES FULL AND UNIFORM COVERAGE OF AREAS, INCLUDING THOSE DIFFICULT AREAS BETWEEN CROSS BRACING AND TRUSS BRACING. ALSO COVERS ENTIRE AREA OVER TRUSSES AND JOISTS, THEREBY FILLING GAPS TO ELIMINATE ANY POSSIBLE HEAT LEAKAGE	NO! DIFFICULT TO PROPERLY FILL AREAS BETWEEN CROSS BRACING AND TRUSS BRACING. BATTS WHICH ARE PRE-CUT TO STANDARD WIDTHS CAN LEAVE GAPS AND OPENINGS THAT ALLOW HEAT LEAKAGE.
OPTIMUM R-VALUE	YES! ALLOWS OPTIMUM R-VALUE TO BE INSTALLED. CAN ACHIEVE AN R-VALUE AS HIGH AS R-38 AND R-49 TO MEET GOVERNMENT SPECIFICATIONS AND STANDARDS FOR THIS AREA.	NO! MAY REQUIRE CUSTOMER TO USE MORE OR SLIGHTLY LESS THAN OPTIMUM R-VALUE THAT JOB REQUIRES. THIS CAN COST THE CUSTOMER MORE MATERIAL THAN IS ECONOMICALLY DESIRABLE, OR IF AN UNDER-RATED BATT IS USED, IT CAN COST THE CUSTOMER ENERGY SAVING DOLLARS.
PREVENTS MOISTURE BUILD-UP	YES! DOES NOT PERMIT MOISTURE ACCUMULATION IN INSULATION. PERMITS USE OF VENT CHUTES TO MAINTAIN OPTIMUM EVE VENTILATION.	NO! LAYERED BATTS CAN TRAP MOISTURE BETWEEN LAYERS AND CAUSE CONDENSATION. IF BATTS ARE FACED AND NOT PROPERLY APPLIED TO THE LAST DETAIL, THE VAPOR BARRIER FREQUENTLY CAUSES MOISTURE ACCUMULATION, WHICH CAN RESULT IN WATER DAMAGE. AT LOW SLOPE ROOFS, BATTS MUST BE COMPRESSED AT EVES.
PROFESSIONAL INSTALLATION	YES! ALMOST ALWAYS INSTALLED PROFESSIONALLY DUE TO COST OF EQUIPMENT (BLOWERS,HOSES, ETC.) THE PRO KNOWS HOW AND WHERE TO INSULATE, AND HE HAS THE RIGHT MATERIALS AND TOOLS TO DO THE JOB. THE PRO KNOWS ALL THE SAFETY HAZARDS TO AVOID. FURTHER, "PRO PINK" LOOSE FILL IS MANUFACTURED UNDER STRINGENT QUALITY CONTROL, WITH ITS COVERAGE AND DENSITY LABELED ON EVERY BAG.	NO! MOST OFTEN INSTALLED BY DO-IT YOUR SELFERS WHO NOT ONLY LACK THE RIGHT EQUIPMENT, BUT USUALLY THE SKILL AND EXPERIENCE TO DO A COMPLETE AND PROPER INSTALLATION. ALSO, THE DO-IT YOUR SELFER IS OFTEN UNAWARE OF SAFETY HAZARDS IN THE ATTIC.
COST SAVINGS	YES! PREFERRED BY MOST CONTRACTORS FOR INSULATING ATTIC AREAS BECAUSE IT SAVES INSTALLATION TIME LABOR AND MATERIALS. SINCE MOST JOBS ARE COMPETITIVELY BID, THESE SAVINGS CAN BE PASSED ON TO THE CUSTOMER.	NO! DIFFICULT TO INSTALL PROPERLY IN TIGHT ATTIC AREAS, TAKES LONGER, USES MORE MATERIALS, AND MORE LABOR. THE RESULT: ADDED COST RATHER THAN COST SAVINGS.
RETROFIT INSULATION	YES! CAN BE QUICKLY, CLEANLY, AND ACCURATELY APPLIED AFTER DWELLING HAS BEEN OCCUPIED. CAN BE INSTALLED UNDER FLOORED AREAS MORE EFFICIENTLY.	NO! PROPER APPLICATION, WITH CORRECT STAPLING ON FLANGES, NOT ALWAYS POSSIBLE AFTER COMPLETION OF DWELLING. MOREOVER, SOME ACCESSES TO ATTICS ARE NOT LARGE ENOUGH TO ACCOMMODATE THE STANDARD BATT PACKAGING. TO INSULATE FLOORED AREAS, FLOORING MUST BE REMOVED & REINSTALLED COMPLETELY.