Old House Attic Insulation Types

In most cases the best type of attic insulation will be blown fiberglass or blown cellulose insulation.

Old house attic insulation types.

Some homeowners also take the time to build walkways and or storage platforms in the attic prior to installing insulation. If the insulation lays flat. In most climates it needs a vapor barrier. If your home was built before 1990 chances are you have one of the old attic insulation types.

The particles of the insulation have an accordion like texture. While this type is often still used older insulation may be discolored or torn and is therefore less effective. If the insulation is wool like and gray it may be loose fill rockwool. If the insulation particles have a certain colour usually grey brown or silver gold.

Once you ve decided which type is best for you examine the material options and prices to home in on the right product. For diy attic insulation you ve got two choices. Blanket insulation is available as batts or rolls and is the easiest diy insulation material. More options exist but these four materials make up the vast majority of installations in minnesota attics where i operate.

The most common insulation materials are fiberglass cellulose and foam. Fiberglass insulation fiberglass batts the insulation found in most houses in the u s are inexpensive and quick to install. Insulation types include loose fill batts rolls foam board spray board and vapor barriers. This type of insulation.

The type of insulation you need depends on which type is currently installed and the required r value. Loose fill or batt the common term for blanket insulation. Like other batt type insulation fiberglass has a predictable r value if not compressed but is difficult to fit around obstacles without leaving gaps. First let s discuss the most common types of insulation available for attics.

Both can be added to uninsulated attics or layered over existing material. These non asbestos insulations include cellulosic insulations such as loose fill cellulose and balsam wool batts cotton insulation fiberglass insulation mineral wool insulation slag wool insulation and rock wool insulation. Fiberglass batts cellulose loose fill fiberglass and spray foam. Older types of insulation include loose fill or batt fiberglass which can be pink yellow or white.

To keep the ventilation space clear above soffit vents special baffles need to be installed before the insulation goes in. Asbestos free insulation materials contains our complete list. Article index to types of building insulation.