Attic Insulation Helps Keep Cold Outside

by Christopher Wittman

’Twas winter in Wisconsin
when all through the house,
frustrated with the cold,
me and my spouse.
New windows installed,
and entry doors, too.
It’s still a little chilly in here.
What should we do?

With a loss of 30-50 percent of energy through the ceiling and roof, the answer is… additional attic insulation!

Attic insulation plays an important role in reducing the amount of energy you consume for heating and cooling, and in turn reduces your energy bills.  Insulation is measured by an R-value – the higher the R-value, the greater the insulating capacity of the material.  Colder climates require higher R-value insulation to ensure that less heat is lost through the roof of your home.  In addition, insulation will also help keep the cool air inside during the warm weather.

How much insulation is needed?  The Department of Energy (DOE) recommends a total of 16 – 20 inches of attic insulation in our area (which equates to an R49 – R60 respectively).

While adding additional insulation in your attic may seem like an easy DIY project, there are many details to consider that will ensure optimum performance.  Callen is proud to be one of the few companies in southeastern Wisconsin trained and certified to install the Owens Corning AttiCat® Blown-In Fiberglass Insulation System.

The first step we perform is inspection of the attic, sealing obvious cracks and air intrusion areas at the ceiling.  After inspecting and clearing all visible soffit vents, we install or extend Owens Corning Raft-R-Mate baffles at the ceiling line to ensure that existing ventilation intake remains open and working.

We also inspect any kitchen or bathroom exhaust fan vents coming through the ceiling to ensure they are properly secured and ported out through the soffit vents or roof damper vents.

To ensure uniform coverage of attic insulation, our installers secure Owens Corning R-value Rulers throughout the attic.  When a majority of the insulation has been installed, a custom built attic access “wall” is installed around the opening.  This prevents insulation overflow from entering the house when the attic access cover is opened, and the insulation is blown in up to that wall.  Before closing things up, we insulate the attic hatch with Owens Corning rolled insulation batts.

Upon completion of the project, we always provide our clients with the Owens Corning Warranty and Registration information that can be kept with the records of the house.

While there are other types of materials used to insulate attics, such as cellulose (which in some cases is simply shredded newspaper!), fiberglass doesn’t host mold spores when moisture enters the attic.  Most cellulose products such as wood, paper, and dust are food sources for mold and can become a health concern.

Though some homeowners may not find this investment appealing or glamorous since it can’t be “seen,” the overall feeling that you get throughout the seasons knowing that you’re saving money and literally, feeling good about it, will more than likely justify the need.