Types of Attic Insulation in Houston, TX.

As you would have guessed, there are many options at your disposal when it comes to attic insulation. Though having many choices is beneficial, the main disadvantage is choosing the right type of attic insulation in Houston. If you choose correctly, you can boost your savings because you will not spend a lot of money on energy bills.

The real question is, “Which is the best type of attic insulation?” The answer is dependent on your definition of “best.” In most cases, the best option might not be pocket-friendly.

But it is best if you read on and see the different types of attic insulation there are in Houston, TX.

The Basics of Attic Insulation

It is in your best interests that you know the basics of attic insulation before we dive into the various types of insulation. The reason is simple. You do not want to buy something that you have zero information about.

Proper insulation in your attic will ensure that you stay warm during the winter, and have cool air circulating in the summer. You should be in tune with what is going on in your attic.

The whole idea of adding insulation is to trap heat, so the material’s effectiveness in retaining the heat is called the R-value.

In a nutshell, the R-value will be dependent on your locality. Hot areas will need an R-30, cold regions, an R-49, and moderate climates; you will settle in the middle values.

Let’s look at the types of insulation commonly used.

Fiberglass Batts

These are by far the most used attic insulation. Fiberglass batts are made of highly delicate glass fibers mixed with sand and recycled material and look astonishingly like cotton candy. This insulation comes in large, rolled-up sheets that are known as batts. An adhesive vapor barrier that resembles a reflective foil holds the layers together.

Here are some of its advantages:

• Fire resistance – The non-combustible nature of fiberglass makes it an excellent insulation material for your wooden attic.
• Moisture resistance – Though fiberglass isn’t waterproof, it is excellent in resisting moisture. This creates unfavorable conditions for the growth of mildew and mold.
• Easy installation – Due to their large size, they are easy to unfurl and can cover a lot of space in a pinch.

For decades, fiberglass batts have been widely used. But the following batts have become popular:

• Denim insulation – Just as you were suspecting, this insulation is made of recycled blue jeans.
• Mineral wool – It is an excellent natural fire barrier. It is still a good insulator, even when it is wet. The problem is that it is scarce these days.

Blown-in Fiberglass

Fiberglass can also come in small lumps packed in bags. It is known as loose-fill insulation. Once placed in the bags, they are installed by using a blowing machine that spreads the fiberglass to fill the spaces.

Blown-in Cellulose

This insulation is made up of shredded paper mixed with boric acid. The boric acid is added for fire resistance and insect control.

Here some of its benefits:

• Cost-effective – Cellulose is cheaper than fiberglass because of the material that is used.
• Chemical treatment – Boric acid is mixed with the shredded papers to help keep rodents and insects at bay.

Even though it has a higher R-Value than fiberglass, cellulose will retain moisture, which creates a conducive environment for mildew and mold.

Spray Foam

By far, this is the best insulation and boasts of an R-Value of 3.5 -7 per inch. There are two types of spray form insulations – closed cell and open cell. Here are some of its disadvantages:

• Waterproof – As opposed to cellulose, it is impermeable to water and moisture.
• Long-lasting airtight seals – Once installed, the foam rapidly expands and confines air in a tight seal. Once you install it, you forget about it. Unlike its counterparts, there is no replacing it after a decade, and it can remain at its peak for decades.

The only downside of using spray foam is that it is the most expensive type of insulation.

These are not the only types of insulation available in the market. But, they make up the bulk of what is used as attic insulation in Houston. Just contact Service Express, and we will set you up according to your needs.