Old House Attic Insulation Types

Some homeowners also take the time to build walkways and or storage platforms in the attic prior to installing insulation.

Old house attic insulation types.

If your home was built before 1990 chances are you have one of the old attic insulation types. Older types of insulation include loose fill or batt fiberglass which can be pink yellow or white. Both can be added to uninsulated attics or layered over existing material. More options exist but these four materials make up the vast majority of installations in minnesota attics where i operate.

This type of insulation. It s available in fiberglass mineral wool plastic fibers and natural fibers. Loose fill or batt the common term for blanket insulation. In most climates it needs a vapor barrier.

If it is white however it may be a newer product. Fiberglass batts cellulose loose fill fiberglass and spray foam. Blanket insulation is available as batts or rolls and is the easiest diy insulation material. If the insulation particles have a certain colour usually grey brown or silver gold.

Once you ve decided which type is best for you examine the material options and prices to home in on the right product. Like other batt type insulation fiberglass has a predictable r value if not compressed but is difficult to fit around obstacles without leaving gaps. 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. The particles of the insulation have an accordion like texture.

First let s discuss the most common types of insulation available for attics. Insulation types include loose fill batts rolls foam board spray board and vapor barriers. Asbestos free insulation materials contains our complete list. The most common insulation materials are fiberglass cellulose and foam.

The type of insulation you need depends on which type is currently installed and the required r value. If the insulation lays flat. For diy attic insulation you ve got two choices. If the insulation is wool like and gray it may be loose fill rockwool.

Fiberglass insulation fiberglass batts the insulation found in most houses in the u s are inexpensive and quick to install. In most cases the best type of attic insulation will be blown fiberglass or blown cellulose insulation. Here are some guidelines.