Do you need to install more home insulation? If you do but aren’t sure where to insulate, it’s okay – that’s why we’re here! Start by thinking of the reasons you want to re-insulate. Are you trying to increase your energy efficiency and lower your energy bills? Although this is the most obvious reason to install more home insulation, it’s not the only one. You can add more insulation to your home to:
- Make it more comfortable year round (insulate attic and walls)
- Reduce noises from outside and between rooms and levels inside the house (insulate walls and floors)
- Help prevent moisture problems (insulate any crawl spaces)
- Reduce or eliminate air leaks (insulate walls and attic)
Where to Insulate in Your Home
In more detail, the best places to insulate include:
Where to Insulate in Attics
It’s best to talk to professionals about your attic since every space is a little different. Generally speaking, however, knee walls (which are vertical walls with attic space behind them) need to be insulated. They tend to be very leaky and can really reduce the energy efficiency of your home. The flooring should also be insulated. Foil insulation like radiant barrier should also be installed right under the roof, which helps your home reflect, rather than absorb, heat from the sun. This keeps your home a lot more comfortable. In fact, homes with radiant barrier installed are about 10 degrees cooler than homes with no insulation in the attic!
Radiant barrier (foil), cellulose, and fiberglass insulation are typically used for attics.
Learn more about attic insulation.
Where to Insulate in Crawl Spaces
Crawl space insulation is ideal for helping reduce air leakage and moisture problems and keeping your home much more comfortable. Unventilated crawl space walls should be insulated. For ventilated crawl spaces, insulation should be installed in the subflooring and between the floor joists.
Fiberglass and foam board insulate are typically used for crawl spaces.
Learn more about crawl space insulation.
Where to Insulate in Walls
You should install insulation in both the interior and exterior walls of your home. Behind your interior walls, it may be recommended to insulate ductwork and around pipes and wiring.
Cellulose, fiberglass, and spray foam insulation are typically used for walls.
Learn more about wall insulation.
If you want to learn more about where to insulate, don’t hesitate to call Southern California’s home insulation experts at OJ Insulation!