Boost Your Attic's Efficiency
by Jeff Cashmore 03/05/2017
Did you know your home could lose heat due to a poorly insulated attic? That's right, and home sellers who want to maximize the value of their residence will want to improve their attic's insulation immediately.
You should try to air-seal the attic to minimize your home's energy loss consistently. However, there are several questions you'll need to consider before you add attic insulation, including:
1. How much insulation will I need?
Ideally, you'll want your attic insulation to be above the floor joists. And if you notice your attic insulation sets below or at the floor joists, you may need extra insulation to boost your home's efficiency.
Furthermore, you'll want to ensure that insulation is evenly distributed across your attic. That way, you'll be able to avoid low spots, aka areas where energy loss becomes more likely to occur.
2. What kind of insulation should I install?
Just because there is certain type of insulation already installed in your attic does not mean that you have to use this same kind of insulation in the future. In fact, there are many insulation options at your disposal, providing you with plenty of flexibility to find insulation that fulfills your home energy needs and budget.
Some of the most common types of attic insulation include:
• Fiberglass – Fiberglass batts and rolls can be applied to unfinished walls, along with floors and ceilings.
• Foam board – This type of insulation is valuable for unvented low-slope roofs and offers a high insulating value.
• Blown-in – Perfect for unfinished attic floors, blown-in insulation is installed using special equipment and works well in irregularly shaped areas.
Meeting with an attic insulation expert may prove to be valuable, as this professional can offer insights to ensure you can find the right insulation at any time. Therefore, you'll be able to rely on this insulation professional to complete your attic insulation project quickly and efficiently.
3. How much will it cost to add insulation?
Adding insulation to your attic can become expensive, particularly for those who choose top-of-the-line insulation installed by insulation professionals.
For many home sellers, it helps to budget accordingly when determining how much to spend on attic insulation improvements. Although you likely want to improve your home's efficiency, it is important to avoid the risk of overspending. And if necessary, you may want to consider lowering the asking price of your home rather than performing comprehensive attic insulation improvements that may provide only a limited return on investment (ROI).
When in doubt, meeting with a real estate agent can help you determine which home improvement projects are paramount. This professional will work with you to accentuate the positive of your home to prospective homebuyers, and ultimately, ensure that you can boost your chances of a quick home sale.
Attic insulation improvements serve as one of many ways that you can work toward enhancing the value of your home. And after you complete various attic insulation improvement tasks, you'll be better equipped to help your residence stand out from others in a highly competitive real estate market.