Why You Should Consider Insulating Your Attic With Fiberglass

A home attic is one of the most common areas for heat loss during the winter and cool air loss during the summer. No matter how large the space is, if it lacks enough insulation, air can escape through small holes and openings. Adding insulation could help improve the overall energy efficiency in your home.

Energy Star recommends adding insulation to the attic space to improve comfort and reduce energy as this could save you money by blocking air leaks. If you don't have enough insulation in this space, you may find your home is drafty and your energy bills are high. Leaks can be located with a straightforward DIY light test. Simply use a flashlight over all potential openings, while someone else checks the house from the outside. Any area with light coming through has an air leak.

Fiberglass insulation is one of the insulation options you have. As its name implies, this type of insulation is made of very fine pieces of fiberglass material. While there are many types of padding to consider, this one offers a few key benefits for most homes.

According to Knauf Insulation, this type of lining works well to reduce energy consumption because it resists heat transfer. Some types, including those with bio-based fiberglass insulation binders, are even good for the environment because many companies make these paddings from numerous sources of renewable materials, including glass and sand. This environmentally-friendly approach helps to keep these materials out of landfills and puts them to better use.

As noted, fiberglass insulation has very small fibers that create small air pockets throughout the material. Those pockets help hold onto warm and cooled air. As a result, fiberglass padding greatly reduces heat transfer throughout the attic space, including the ceiling, floors, piping, and ductwork running through it. Furthermore, it's easy to install, highly energy efficient, and creates comfort in the home. According to Knauf Insulation, it might even save the energy required to create it in just a few hours or days. That makes it pretty much the ideal choice for many attics.

One of the best reasons to turn to this insulation type in your attic is its affordability. The cost of fiberglass batt insulation ranges from $1,000 to $2,400, according to HomeAdvisor, which is about $0.30 to $1.50 per square foot. So if your attic space is about 500 square feet, for example, the padding could cost you as little as $150. However, your expenses could be a bit higher if you have a professional install it or use a higher R-value.

It may also cost you a bit more or less, depending on the type you use. Typically, batting is the least expensive option, though blown-in insulation and rolls are available for those looking for different application methods.

Depending on what type of insulation is already in your home, you may benefit from simply adding one more fiberglass batting or more loose-fill materials to your attic spaces on top of what's already there. That could help to further reduce your costs instead of starting over with new material.