What’s the Best Insulation for Your California Attic?
A well-insulated home is a more energy-efficient home because less heat is transferred through walls or around doors and windows. That keeps warmth in during the winter and out during the summer, and it reduces the stress put on your HVAC system.
That’s why it’s so important to understand and identify your home’s top areas for thermal loss. In California homes, that’s usually the attic.
Choosing the best insulation type for your attic can help significantly. In this area, most attics are insulated with either fiberglass batts or blown-in fiberglass insulation. While both are excellent insulators, each has its own pros, cons and ideal uses.
Why Fiberglass Is a Great Choice for Attic Insulation
Fiberglass is an ideal choice for attic insulation because it’s affordable, incredibly effective and easy to install. You can also expect fiberglass insulation to:
- Guard against air and moisture, which can prevent mold growth
- Reduce unwanted pollutants in your home for healthier indoor air quality
- Maximize your home’s energy efficiency for lower energy bills and reduced strain on your heating and cooling systems
- Ensure year-round comfort throughout your home
Batts or Loose-Fill?
Pros of Fiberglass Batts
Fiberglass batt insulation is manufactured in pre-cut panels that resemble blankets, making it ideal for large attics with lots of headroom and very few obstructions. The panels are designed to fit snuggly between joists.
Using batt insulation makes future work easy in the attic, as you can remove a panel and replace it when you’re done. Similarly, it’s easier to replace this insulation if one or a few panels are damaged. Batt insulation is more resistant to compression than other types, making it more durable and reliable over time.
Cons of Fiberglass Batts
If you’re considering fiberglass batts, you should know they’re more expensive to have installed, as they’re more labor-intensive than blown-in insulation.
And although batt insulation has a great R-value, it usually can’t be installed between an attic’s wood studs, which prevents full coverage, leading to thermal loss and mold growth if the attic isn’t properly vented.
Pros of Loose-fill Fiberglass
Loose-fill fiberglass insulation is installed using a special blowing device, which is why it’s also called blown-in insulation. This type of fiberglass insulation is better for attics with limited headroom, irregular joist spacing or many obstructions.
It offers seamless coverage and can fill any ceiling cavity and the spaces around piping and ductwork. You have more R-value flexibility with loose-fill than batt insulation because loose-fill’s R-value is determined by the thickness of its layer.
Cons of Loose-fill Fiberglass
Although there are many positives to loose-fill fiberglass, there are several drawbacks to consider. Working around blown-in installation can be difficult and cumbersome. It can’t be removed and put back in place the same way fiberglass batts can, so it’s not easily replaced.
It can also create a warm and inviting home for rodents, so you’ll want to make sure your home is properly sealed.
Contact Us for Expert Attic Insulation in San Diego, Los Angeles & the Bay Area
Whether you choose fiberglass batts or blown-in fiberglass insulation, it’s important to pick an experienced and professional installer. Otherwise, it doesn’t matter how great the insulation is, it may not properly protect your home against thermal loss.
The team at OJ Insulation will help you determine which type is best for your home’s attic and ensure proper insulation, from start to finish. We offer commercial and residential services throughout the area.
Schedule insulation installation for your California home or business today. Call OJ Insulation at (800) 707-9278 to get started.
