There are a number of different types of insulation you can use for your attic, as well as a few types that you shouldn't use in this location. Since heat rises, attic ceiling insulation is one of the most important types of insulation to install in your home. In order to choose the right type of insulation for this purpose you need to be balance cost and effectiveness. The main choices for attic ceiling insulation are fiberglass or rock wool batts and blown insulation of various types. Foam insulation should not be used in attics since it creates a moisture barrier and you do not want this in your attic since you want moisture to be able to leave your house.
The most efficient type of attic ceiling insulation is fiberglass batts, but this is also one of the most expensive options. One example of this type of product is ComfortTherm® by Johns Manville, another is Owens Corning PINK FIBERGLAS® Insulation. If you are handy you can buy this type of insulation yourself and then install it, being careful not to block any vents and to install it tightly enough so that there are not gaps but without compressing it. This type of insulation is best if you wish to use your attic for storage and want to be going in and out of the attic from time to time.
A less expensive but also less efficient option is to use blown insulation. This type of insulation should be professionally installed, but even then is sometimes less expensive than buying and installing fiberglass batts on your own (as well as being much easier). In order to get the same effect as with fiberglass batts you need to have a thicker layer of blown insulation.
If you have decided that you would like to get blown insulation for your attic ceiling insulation, you then need to decide which type of blown insulation you are going to get. The insulation of this type that works the best is blown fiberglass (examples include Johns Manville's Attic Protector® loose-fill fiber glass insulation and AttiCat® Expanding Blown-In PINK Fiberglas™ Insulation by Owens Corning), then blown rock wool and blown cellulose. You do not want to use blown vermiculite because besides being the least effective insulator, it is also sometimes contaminated with asbestos and as such it can be a health hazard, especially if you plan to go in and out of your attic.
By Simon Harris
Article Source: ezinearticles.com
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