Are you looking for the best type of insulation for your attic? Well, that depends on your specific goals. And your environment matters too! But most importantly, it’s essential to align your expectations with your budget. Often the best insulation costs more, either in materials or for specialized installation.
Fortunately, Tropical Insulation can help you get the best bang for your buck when insulating your home.
The Best Attic Insulation
Let’s start with the basics. The most common types of insulation available for attics are fibreglass batts, cellulose, loose-fill fibreglass, and spray foam. There are many more options available, and you might want to look into them if you have specific goals. That being said, these four materials are the most popular for attic insulation.
Before we get into specifics, remember that the term ‘R-Value‘ refers to a material’s ability to resist heat transfer. The higher the number for an R-Value, the better the insulation performs.
Depending on your environment, you might need a specific R-Value. Check out our guide to understanding climate zones and how they affect your insulation needs here.
Fibreglass Batt Attic Insulation
The old tried and true insulation, fibreglass batts find themselves in various insulation projects and work perfectly for attics as well. Not only does it have an average R-Value of 3.1-3.4, but it is also one of the easiest materials to install. There are insulation materials with higher R-Values, but fibreglass batt insulation is the perfect mix of affordability, performance, and ease of installation. That being said, there are some issues with using fibreglass batts in the attic.
For one, they’re not that effective at irregular shapes. Secondly, as the top location, you may want to choose an insulation material that protects your home from heat transfer better. Not only does heat rise, but your roof transfers heat from the sun and weather, affecting the temperature. Having the proper material in your attic will save you plenty on your energy bill, and makes it worth investing in a better material.
And not to mention, it can be itchy when installed!
Cellulose Attic Insulation
Contrary to the name, cellulose is quite a winner when it comes to insulating your attic! Cellulose is a recycled, ground-up paper with boric acid added for pest control and fire resistance. It has an R-rating of 3.2 – 3.8, meaning it outperforms fibreglass. And as a sustainable material, cellulose is better for the environment than fibreglass. This material is possible to DIY, especially if you buy enough to use an insulation blower. We’d recommend that you don’t just buy one bag and spread it by hand. Cellulose is densely packed and requires proper installation.
It isn’t a perfect material though– installation usually involves a lot of dust. If that’s an issue for you, you can hire the professionals at Tropical Insulation. We’ll install wet-spray cellulose, which has ab it of water added to control the dust. Installing it this way also increases the efficiency of the material, saving you even more money.
Another thing to note about this material is that it does not create a vapour barrier, which can be important for some climates. It is a very dense material though, so it does have some effectiveness against frost.
Spray Foam Attic Insulation
By far the most superior material for insulating your attic, spray foam offers the best performance. There are two types available: closed cell and open cell. They have R-values of 6.5 and 3.6, which means they outperform the other options for heat transfer. When installed properly, both insulations fill every difficult-to-reach space, making it perfect for irregularly shaped attics. Best yet, it provides a complete airlock, so there is zero heat loss through convection.
At 2 inches of thickness, closed-cell foam also acts as a moisture barrier, making it perfect for wetter climates. Because of this quality and its high R-value, homeowners in cold and wet climates often pay the higher price for this insulation knowing that it saves big bucks on energy bills every month.
The downside to spray foam insulation is its cost and installation. You might think that a moldable material is easier to work with, but it means that mistakes are easier to make and more costly too. It also releases toxic gasses, which require proper air ventilation. That’s why it’s important to call a professional to install spray foam insulation. We’ll make sure to use the materials as efficiently as possible, saving you a big headache and a dollar.
If you’re confident that spray foam insulation is the right choice for your attic, don’t hesitate to give us a call at (416) 798-1310 or send us a message.
Insulating Your Attic Guide
When it comes to choosing the right insulation material for your attic, you have options to choose from depending on your goals and budget. One of the first things you should consider is your climate: if you live in a hot, wet, or cold environment, you’ll want to consider that when insulating your attic. The top floor of your building is where the majority of heat transfer occurs!
If you’re looking for a cheap and easy DIY solution, then fibreglass is the way to go. Or if you’d like something more effective and sustainable, you can try cellulose! All in all, spray foam insulation is the most effective for attic insulation. Although it is more expensive, it will save you monthly on your energy bills.
Insulated Attics with Tropical Insulation
With 40 years in the business, Tropical Insulation knows the ins and outs of installing attic insulation. Working across Southern Ontario, we understand the needs of our clients year-round. That’s how we help you decide which insulation to choose to protect your home from cold and wet Ontario winters. And even better, as proud Canadians, we prioritize sustainability throughout the entire process, from supply to installation. That’s why we offer the highest-quality and most ethically sourced cellulose.
Click here to find out how we can save your home energy bills using Ontario’s rebate system.