The Best Type of Insulation for Attics | The Fifth Fuel

Your attic might not be the first place that comes to mind when you think about your home’s energy efficiency, but it can have a bigger impact on performance than you might think. While your attic is most likely separate from your living spaces, it’s still included in your home’s barrier from the outdoors. However, attics are too often left under insulated. This makes them a significant source of energy loss, poor indoor air quality, and common comfort issues in homes throughout DC, Metro Maryland, and Northern Virginia.

Regardless whether you live in a newly constructed home or an older, historic home, attic insulation is crucial. The Fifth Fuel are local leaders in energy efficiency, specializing in providing homeowners with custom solutions to numerous issues, from high utility bills and stuffy rooms to moisture and poor indoor air quality.

Signs You Need New Attic Insulation

Even if you don’t spend much time in your attic, you’ll notice the effects of poor insulation throughout your entire home. If you’ve experienced any of the following, you could very well benefit from attic insulation services.

High energy bills – If your attic is poorly insulated, you’ll see significantly higher utility bills as your HVAC system works overtime to compensate for the energy loss.
Inconsistent temperatures – Attic insulation helps your whole home maintain a stable temperature, especially vulnerable areas like the second floor.
Comfort issues – A poorly insulated attic is a common source for several comfort issues, like indoor drafts and stuffy rooms.
Ice dams on your roof – As heat escapes from your under insulated attic, it will melt snow on your roof, causing ice dams and potentially property damage.

What’s the Best Kind of Attic Insulation?

There are several types of insulation used for attics throughout the area. At The Fifth Fuel we prefer two different options for most attics: cellulose and spray foam. However, we always recommend starting with an in-home energy audit to give our insulation specialists the opportunity to understand the specific needs of your home and attic. If there’s existing insulation in your attic that’s old or damaged, we’ll also first need to provide insulation removal before getting started with your upgrades.

Cellulose insulation is made out of recycled newspaper that’s been treated with flame retardants, making it an environmentally friendly option for homeowners. In attics, cellulose insulation is usually blown in as a thick, loose-fill layer over your attic floor and will require air sealing services in tandem to offer full protection from the elements.
Spray foam insulation has a few qualities that make it a unique insulation material: unlike cellulose or fiberglass, it can be a moisture barrier for your home as well. Spray foam also prevents air movement between the outdoors and your living space, making it an all-in-one material for insulating and air sealing attics.

Maximize Your Home Performance with The Fifth Fuel

With over 30 years of industry experience in Northern Virginia and surrounding areas, our team is passionate about helping to create efficient, comfortable, and healthy homes. We hold several certifications and are continually furthering our education to provide reliable and long-lasting insulation services. With our expertise on your side, you can eliminate drafty rooms, improve your overall home comfort, and significantly reduce your heating and cooling costs all year long. Ready to get started with The Fifth Fuel?