Types of Attic Insulation and Their Benefits

One of the best ways of preserving heat in the home is by insulating your attic. There are a number of attic insulation types and it is up to the individual to choose what best suits them and their needs. Heat rises and if an attic is not insulated, the much needed heat in the cold weather is lost through your roof; this can become costly and as the expense of heating a home increases on a regular basis, reducing heating bills has become most home owner's prime concern. As an attic is generally the same size as the ground floor area of a house, installing insulation can represent a considerable saving in fuel bills.

The installing of insulation in your attic is a reasonably simple exercise and does not require any specific skills. However, there are a number of alternatives when choosing the type of insulation that will meet your requirements. The most widely used insulation is fibreglass; this has very good insular properties but it is not advisable to be used in areas that could become damp as it absorbs moisture and when wet it reduces its insular capabilities. Fibreglass can melt if exposed to extreme heat but it is widely used in the insulation of ceilings and walls and can be used for insulating pipes to prevent them from freezing in cold climates.

Another attic insulation type is cellulose. Once again this is used in many homes and can be less expensive than fibreglass; if you live in an area that can be subject to constant low temperatures then cellulose could be a better option. Its insulation properties are more favorable in colder climates and it reacts more favorably to wet or damp environments. Due to air movement in attic areas, gaps and cavities can appear in insulation reducing its insular capabilities but this is not the case with cellulose.

Mineral wool in another alternative has many advantages over other attic insulation types. For example, it does not absorb water and it has very good fire retardant properties. This is a permanent insulation so it does not need to be replaced at any time. The down side of mineral wool involves the installer who, when handling this, must wear adequate protection. Although it does not pose a danger, without any parts of the body being covered that come into contact with this product, irritation and discomfort will be experienced. Similarly, the use of goggles must be taken advantage of to avoid eye irritation. These are the main attic insulation types that are used in the home.