Fl Residential Attic Insulation Options

Let s say you measured your attic and you realize your attic has about 9 inches r 30 of insulation and your attic is about 40 sq feet you d need at least 3 inches of extra insulation that covers 40 sq ft to get an r value of r 38.

Fl residential attic insulation options.

But increasingly the materials we put inside our walls and ceilings are turning a deeper shade of green with old standbys like fiberglass and foam cleaning up. Most homes are insulated in the attic and any floors located above unfinished basements or crawl spaces. Insulation decreases the amount of heat entering from outside when it s hot and traps warmth inside when it s cold. Energy star s map of recommended home insulation shows that the majority of florida is within zone 2.

Closed cell on the other hand is more dense and it provides an excellent barrier against air and water. However it does not provide any vapor barrier. Spray foam is great for any home new or not so new. For diy attic insulation you ve got two choices.

Installing spray foam insulation is a complex process so it s easiest to perform on new construction homes during the building phase. Most insulation you buy will have a sq ft number for easy reference. R value for loose fill per inch is between r2 and r4 higher value with fiberglass. Once you ve decided which type is best for you examine the material options and prices to home in on the right product.

But if you have an existing home in need of attic insulation don t worry. Whether it s pink white yellow or blue all insulation is at least a little bit green after all anything that saves so much energy gets high marks for environmental friendliness. Blanket insulation is available as batts or rolls and is the easiest diy insulation material. The r value indicates how well insulation resists heat transfer.

Broward collier hendry lee miami dade monroe and palm beach and require a minimum r 30 attic insulation. Typically fiberglass or cellulose are the material choices. This zone has a recommended r value of 30 to 60 for an uninsulated attic r25 to r38 for an attic with existing insulation and r13 to r19 for the floor. This is one of the two most common types of insulation.

Climate zone 1 consists of the following south florida counties. Spray foam insulation is the most expensive insulation and it is available in open cell and closed cell options. Loose fill or batt the common term for blanket insulation. This type of insulation.

All other florida counties are considered to be in climate zone 2 and require a minimum r 38. It s available in fiberglass mineral wool plastic fibers and natural fibers. Its properties make it an excellent choice for attic insulation.