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It has the white, fluffy blow in insulation...it's 14 years old if that matters...just wasn't sure how insulating that is versus other types and if it's worth changing it out?
I doubt if you would need to replace it. The bigger question is how much do you have.
My guess is that it is loose fiberglas. If it is gray and not itchy and looks like ground up newspapers, it is cellulose. Vermiculite was used years ago sometimes, but that is not common, and not used just 14 years ago.
Either way it should be fine. Measure how thick it is. you do not say where you are, but with todays heating and cooling costs, I'd want about an R-50....but I suppose it depends where you are.
You can blow either cellulose or fiberglas on top of what you have. I prefer cellulose...it has a higher R value per inch then fiberglas, and a class A fire rating.
We had added to our insulation last year (reblown). Cost was only about $400.00. It made a huge difference in our monthly bill. Insulation does settle, especially as long as it has been in your home (which mine was just as old).
Fluffy white is likely fiberglass. As Frank said, what matters is how deep it is. The depth you need is really based on what part of the country you are in. You want a minimum of about 12" and this is where "more is better".
As a slight thread drift, you want to make sure that the bathroom exhaust vents are not buried in the insulation and they are actually vented out.
By your other posts I'll assume that you are in Nashville. Your zone requires a rating of R-38, which is approximately 16" in depth. That is the minimum requirement. You could go with a higher rating, but use alot of caution- you can over do it; and that can cause sweating of walls and ceiling.
I'd stick with f/glass- no need to mix materials. And I don't recommend cellulose; especially on top of f/glass. It will compress the f/glass even more (giving you a less than optimal "R" rating). Also, cellulose has been tested countless times on it's fire rating- the results are not good. It's estimated that it can loose as much as 28% of it's fire retardency in the first two-year period. Some samples have failed a fire safety test only 6 months after installation.
Barkingspider,
good point!
also, make sure your soffit vents, (if you have them, (you should)), do not get covered.
you can have soffitt vent protectors installed. There is probably a better name, but my mind is not working right now, and I got to get back to some house projects of my own......
What I am talking about are plastic or foam pieces, about 14" wide by a few feet that get stapled between your rafters onto the sheathing to hold back any insulation from covering your soffitt vents .........
Adding insulation is a great way to cut utility bills, especially in your attic.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by faithfulFrank
I doubt if you would need to replace it. The bigger question is how much do you have.
My guess is that it is loose fiberglas. If it is gray and not itchy and looks like ground up newspapers, it is cellulose. Vermiculite was used years ago sometimes, but that is not common, and not used just 14 years ago.
Either way it should be fine. Measure how thick it is. you do not say where you are, but with todays heating and cooling costs, I'd want about an R-50....but I suppose it depends where you are.
You can blow either cellulose or fiberglas on top of what you have. I prefer cellulose...it has a higher R value per inch then fiberglas, and a class A fire rating.
Frank D.
If you are going to be working in your attic frequently or otherwise spending a fair amount of time breathing up there, cellulose probably has some upside. Otherwise, I would recommend against. Cellulose absorbs water and actually has a nutritional value so it makes an excellent growth medium for mold and bacteria, among other things. Fiberglass does not absorb water, does not burn (unless your whole house is burning down) and does not rot. Keep in mind that any treatments that the cellulose has received are fleeting. You can't just spray newspaper with a chemical and make it non-combustible and indigestible forever.
great info. i was just wondering about this stuff too! we have been in our house 20 years and added more insulation after we were here a few years. but since it has been awhile, i think i will send husband to attack with a ruler!
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