In last month’s “Ask the Expert,” I answered the question, “What type of insulation should I use?” If you’ve read over the blog and made a decision, you may still be left with one more question: how much should I use?

The amount of attic insulation you will need depends on a few factors. First and foremost, you’ll need to find out how much quality insulation your home already has to determine what you’ll need. Remember, insulation can go bad, compressing and losing its effectiveness.

You’ll also need to take a look at the R-value of your insulation. The R-value is the insulation’s resistance to conductive heat flow, so the higher the R-value, the more effective the insulation is at blocking heat flow. If you’ve picked an insulation with a low R-value, you may need to apply more than if you select a higher R-value.

How Climate Affects Insulation Amounts

The amount of insulation you need can also depend on climate. For instance, a resident in Alaska will need more insulation than a resident in Virginia. Thicker insulation may seem like a good idea to decrease energy usage for every home, but increasing insulation is only helpful up to a certain point. It also must be installed completely and correctly to avoid mold and damage to the roof, which can be frustrating and costly when thicker insulation has been used.

Determining the correct amount of attic insulation needed is based on so many individual factors that it is tough to make one blanket statement for all homes. As always, there is no simple answer, and your best option when installing insulation is to consult a professional that you know and trust. Working with a professional will ensure that the right amount of insulation is installed based on your home, the climate and the type of insulation, and that it will be installed correctly for effectiveness and longevity.

The experts at [company_name] are here and ready to help you insulate your home! Give us a call at [company_number] to schedule a free consultation.