Old House Attic Insulation Types

If the insulation is wool like and gray it may be loose fill rockwool.

Old house attic insulation types.

The most common insulation materials are fiberglass cellulose and foam. These non asbestos insulations include cellulosic insulations such as loose fill cellulose and balsam wool batts cotton insulation fiberglass insulation mineral wool insulation slag wool insulation and rock wool insulation. If your home was built before 1990 chances are you have one of the old attic insulation types. It s available in fiberglass mineral wool plastic fibers and natural fibers.

Fiberglass batts cellulose loose fill fiberglass and spray foam. Once you ve decided which type is best for you examine the material options and prices to home in on the right product. Insulation types include loose fill batts rolls foam board spray board and vapor barriers. The type of insulation you need depends on which type is currently installed and the required r value.

If the insulation particles have a certain colour usually grey brown or silver gold. If the insulation lays flat. If it is white however it may be a newer product. Both can be added to uninsulated attics or layered over existing material.

First let s discuss the most common types of insulation available for attics. To keep the ventilation space clear above soffit vents special baffles need to be installed before the insulation goes in. Loose fill or batt the common term for blanket insulation. Some homeowners also take the time to build walkways and or storage platforms in the attic prior to installing insulation.

In most climates it needs a vapor barrier. In most cases the best type of attic insulation will be blown fiberglass or blown cellulose insulation. Article index to types of building insulation. This type of insulation.

The particles of the insulation have an accordion like texture. Fiberglass insulation fiberglass batts the insulation found in most houses in the u s are inexpensive and quick to install. Like other batt type insulation fiberglass has a predictable r value if not compressed but is difficult to fit around obstacles without leaving gaps. Blanket insulation is available as batts or rolls and is the easiest diy insulation material.

For diy attic insulation you ve got two choices. Here are some guidelines. While this type is often still used older insulation may be discolored or torn and is therefore less effective.