Minimum Attic Insulation

Add insulation to attic.

Minimum attic insulation.

Size of scuttle and accessibility of the attic dictate the level of entry. 2015 code requires walls to be insulated with a minimum of r 20 or r 13 5 13 5 means r 13 cavity insulation plus r 5 insulated sheathing. You can achieve better thermal performance in your attic by adding an additional layer of insulation. Add loose fill insulation to your attic or foil faced batt insulation to your cathedral ceiling.

First things first you need to go up into your attic inspect the condition of the insulation and calculate the current level of insulation. For added energy control and sound deadening. The average recommended level is 14 inches of r49. Inspecting your attic insulation.

Your attic should have a certain amount of insulation in it and the recommended level of insulation for your attic is dependent on where you live. The average recommended level is 17 inches of r60. Insulation levels are specified by r value. If structural sheathing covers 40 or less of the exterior continuous insulation r value shall be permitted to be reduced by no more than r 3 in the locations where structural sheathing is used to maintain a consistent total sheathing thickness.

Framed wall insulation must meet or exceed r 13. How much insulation in attic for zones 1 4. The main factors that impact the cost are. In zone 2 the average minimum requirement for attic insulation is 9 inches of r30 fill.

Ceiling insulation must be much higher at r 30 and a raised floor must be at least r 13. Recommended insulation levels for retrofitting existing wood framed buildings. Type and material of your insulation. R value is a measure of insulation s ability to resist heat flow.

In zone 1 the average minimum requirement for attic insulation is 9 inches of r30 fill. Existing 3 4 inches of insulation. If unable to visually evaluate the improvements in their entirety the appraiser must contact the lender and reschedule a time when a complete visual. The attic must be entered at a minimum by head and shoulders whether access is by pull down stairway or scuttle.

The recommended level for most attics is to insulate to r 38 or about 10 to 14 inches depending on insulation type. Square footage of your attic. For block walls interior insulation must meet or exceed r 7 8 and exterior insulation must be r 6. Include insulation in the outer walls of the home.

Residential requirements for insulation are divided by the location in the home. According to home advisor insulating your attic can cost between 1700 to 2100. The higher the r value the better the thermal performance of the insulation.