Excess insulation is not a problem. However, there may be a drawback if the insulating material blocks the ventilation grilles. Therefore, it is important to allow fresh air to enter the attic to prevent moisture accumulation. Attic ventilation grilles allow warm air to be expelled more naturally, replacing it with cooler air from outside.
It's important to take due care and ensure that your home's ventilation grilles have free air circulation. Otherwise, it could cause condensation, moisture-related problems, wood decay, and mold. It is possible to place too much blow insulation in the attic. Now that you've sealed the attic and basement, check the attic's insulation levels and add more if necessary.
The attic is the easiest place to add insulation to improve your comfort and the energy efficiency of your home. No matter what type of insulation you currently have in your attic, a quick way to determine if you need more is to look across your attic. If the insulation is just at the same level as or below the floor beams (i.e., if you can't see any of the floor beams because the insulation is way above them), you probably have enough and adding more might not be cost-effective. It is important that the insulation is distributed evenly without low spots; sometimes there is enough insulation in the center of the attic and very little along the eaves.
To see how to add insulation to eaves, see Installing ventilation grilles on beams. If the attic insulation covers the beams and is distributed evenly, you probably have enough. Insulation levels are specified using the R value. The R value is a measure of the insulation's ability to withstand heat flow. The higher the R value, the better the thermal performance of the insulation.
The recommended level for most attics is to insulate them to R-38 or approximately 10 to 14 inches, depending on the type of insulation. When adding additional insulation, there is no need to use the same type of insulation that currently exists in the attic. You can add loose padding to the top of fiberglass blocks or blankets, and vice versa. If you're using fiberglass on loose filler, make sure the fiberglass filler is free of paper or aluminum foil; it should be uncoated.
If you choose to add loose filler, it may be wise to hire a professional, as the application requires the use of a blowing machine, although some home improvement stores offer to rent this machine. For more information and images, download the DIY sealing and insulation guide (PDF, 12.8 MB)). Built-in attic insulation usually lasts a long time and does not need to be replaced as often as other types of insulation. This is the labor-intensive part of an attic insulation job that unscrupulous insulation contractors may not mention.
It is important to follow the manufacturer's recommended guidelines to determine the appropriate insulation depth in the attic and to consult a professional if you have any questions. Attic blow insulation refers to cellulose, fiberglass and other thick, dense and lumpy insulators. However, attic insulation is a science, and it's best to hire the services of a professional attic energy company to ensure maximum energy savings and comfort. Even so, it's always a good idea to inspect the attic regularly to ensure that the insulation is in good condition and works effectively.
To avoid incorrectly measuring the amount of insulation in my attic, it's best to leave the inspection and energy audit in the hands of certified attic specialists. It's important to consider factors such as the age and type of the house, climate, and current energy bills to determine if attic thermal insulation is an investment that it's worth investing in. Some fiberglass insulators contain up to 53% recycled glass, which has the added advantage that not much is deposited after installation. Of course, that assumes that all other conditions are the same, which means you're not doing anything stupid with the insulation, such as blocking the ceiling vents or stacking the insulation up to the roof cover.
What is much more important than simply insulating the attic is to first seal the air.
