Pros & Cons of Roof & Attic Insulation

Having a comfortable and relaxing house to come home to after a long day of work is something everyone wants. With the technology that we have today, living in comfort has never been easier with appliances and all sorts of furniture in the market.

There are numerous ways to ensure that a house is cozy such as installing an HVAC system, adding useful home appliances, and renovating the bathrooms. But other ways are pretty simple and straightforward, such as installing good insulation.

You may not notice the positive effects of having good insulation most of the time because it’s always hidden from plain view. However, you will be amazed to know the wonders that insulation brings to your home.

While roof & attic insulation may benefit the house and the homeowner, there is always a disadvantage. That is why this article will center on which type of roof and attic insulation have pros and cons.

You can use these comparisons to gauge whether you want a specific kind of insulation done on the roof or not.

Basics of Roof and Attic Insulation Types

Before you contact a contractor to add roof and attic insulation, you should know which one to use. There are various specifications for each type of insulation, and you might end up having one that will only make your house’s living conditions worse.

If you are not yet aware, several common types of insulation are for attic and roof use. These are fiberglass, cellulose, batts, spray foam, and loose-fill fiberglass.

Aside from the standard types, you may have seen or heard about the term “R-value.” It refers to the material’s capacity to resist heat from transferring to the other side of the surface.

It also comes in “per-inch” units, and if the higher the number, the better insulation it has.

1. Cellulose Attic Insulation

For homeowners who want to use environmentally friendly materials, cellulose is the best choice for roof and attic insulation. Cellulose attic insulation is composed of ground-up, recycled paper mixed with boric acid, which is essential to increase fire resistance and control insects.

Another element that makes cellulose attic insulation great is that it’s inexpensive compared to fiberglass insulation.

With cellulose attic insulation, you have another alternative whenever you need insulation that’s efficient and cheaper at the same time. Also, there are some cellulose insulations with an acrylic binder treated into them.

Adding this adhesive property will let the insulation settle once installed. The acrylic binder is essential to prevent the decrease of R-value over time.

With the several benefits mentioned, there are also a few downsides to using this type of insulation. First, the installation costs for cellulose insulation are typically higher compared to fiberglass.

Second, if you plan to install it on your own, you need to know that the cellulose insulation method will create a ton of dust. You can always wear a dust mask to prevent the dust from entering your lungs.

If you feel you aren’t up for the job, it’s also best to hire a professional to do it. Professionals tend to use wet-spray cellulose.

They add a bit of water to lower the dust particles around the space. Moreover, increasing the insulation value per inch is also possible with this type of insulation.

Lastly, it can absorb moisture easily. Once it starts absorbing water, its long-term efficiency will also begin to reduce. There’s also a high probability that molds will form and rot.

So you have to carefully plan out the insulation process with your contractor, whether you want the wet-spray insulation done or not.

2. Fiberglass Insulation

If you want insulation in your roof or attic right away, you have the option to use fiberglass. It’s one of the most popular insulation that homeowners use. Right insulation installation and a clean attic and crawl space are important to get a healthy home.

You can get fiberglass in two forms, mainly in loose-fill or blankets (batts or long rolls). In some cases, contractors often blow fiberglass insulation into wall cavities.

The advantages of fiberglass insulation are that it is inexpensive and efficient. It also has fire-resistant properties, ensuring your home doesn’t go up in flames too quickly.

You can find some fiberglass insulation that has an R-value of 11 and 15. These values are already enough to add efficient fire resistance to a house’s roof and attic.

Another advantage is that some fiberglass insulations use recycled glass, making it an environmentally friendly material as well. And if you have worries about insects chewing away from the insulation, there is no need to fret because fiberglass insulation doesn’t have any nutritional properties.

It would be best if you also realized that there are disadvantages to fiberglass insulation. One issue with it is that fiberglass blankets cannot wholly seal ceiling and wall spaces.

People also experienced lung complications when they inhaled the silver of fiberglass. Thus, you need to wear a respirator mask when handling fiberglass insulation at all times.

Finally, fiberglass insulation sags and settles, causing the R-value to decrease in the long run.

3. Spray Foam Insulation

The spray foam insulation can only provide high-quality performance when installed correctly. This job may require hiring a professional to blow the insulation in the roof and attic.

Expect a remarkably high R-value when professionals do it. Aside from a high R-value, spray foam does not lose its R-value in the long run.

Closed-cell products offer up to 7 per inch of aged R-value, while open-cell products offer 3.5 per inch of aged R-value.

The second advantage of spray foam insulation is it keeps a home contaminant-free. Since it provides an air-tight seal, micro-harmful elements from outside will have a hard time penetrating your home.

Lastly, it does not absorb moisture. Prolonged exposure to moisture will damage the roof and attic of a house. But spray foam insulation, can help eliminate this annoying issue.

And if you were wondering what the disadvantages of spray foam insulation are, there are a few of them that you should remember.

Sometimes, homeowners tend to spray the insulation themselves, causing small gaps and crevices without the foam. It is the reason why every insulating job should be handled by a professional.

Another complication you need to know about this type of insulation is that it can also cause a few health complications, like fiberglass insulation.

There’s a harmful ingredient mixed in with it called “isocyanates.” This particle can irritate the eyes, lungs, and stomach when inhaled through breathing.

There are some cases where people would develop skin rashes, inflammation, and swelling on their skin. It’s the reason why professionals always wear a respirator mask, gloves, safety goggles, and personal protective equipment to ensure they stay safe.

Final Thoughts

Weighing out each type of insulation’s pros and cons is tricky, especially if you don’t know that much. This is why homeowners would always hire an experienced worker to lay out or spray the insulation in the attic or roof.

And if you plan on doing it on your own, make sure you know the exact steps and safety precautions in doing the insulation method.

When you contact a professional to do the job, ensure they can gain quick and easy access to your attic or roof all the time by installing a ceiling and attic access door and panel.

Apart from providing convenient access, it can prevent toxic fumes from going inside the house. It is critical if you want to keep people from getting sick and falling ill.

If you ever need one to install on the ceiling and attic, don’t forget to get in touch with Best Access Doors all the time!

FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)