Spray Foam Insulation Vs Cellulose Dormer Attic

Unvented attics sometimes called sealed enclosed or encapsulated attics feature insulation on the underside of the roof decking rather than on the attic floor.

Spray foam insulation vs cellulose dormer attic.

It is the most expensive option with costs running as high as two or three times as much as fiberglass batts or cellulose loose fill. Spray foam insulation the foam usually polyurethane is sprayed to fill cracks and gaps in the attic to form a hermetically sealed barrier. Spray foam if you were to look at a pie chart showing what you spend every year on home energy use your heating and cooling system would take up nearly half of the pie. Cellulose insulation may be less expensive than foam but in a dense pack installation it has two drawbacks philadelphia based builder postgreen homes has found.

Radiant barrier sheathing is inexpensive and reflects thermal radiation to keep attic spaces cool. Cellulose for attic insulation if the hvac equipment and air ducts are in your attic it is better to install spray foam insulation specifically with open cell spray foam to protect the equipment and ducts. Spray foam provides the highest r value while open cell spray foam has about an r value of 2 2 to 3 5 per inch closed cell spray foam has about 6 7 per inch. It s generally 3 to 4 times what you ll pay for blown cellulose or fiberglass.

Spray foam stays in place and does not settle ensuring total continual performance. I d blow insulation on the attic floor after air sealing of course. Properly mixing and applying spray foam insulation requires substantial expertise and can only be done by trained professionals. Other than the fact that it s an insulator cellulose can also reduce the noise heard between rooms.

Spray foam s air sealing qualities help reduce the amount of dust allergens and pollutants entering your home helping to protect you and your family from allergies. Be sure to check your current insulation in case it s time for an upgrade. Cellulose insulation is probably the safest among all the other kinds of insulation there is including spray foam insulation. The big disadvantage with spray foam is cost.

The unvented attic space is considered the most effective and up to date building practice particularly by the spray foam industry. However if your attic doesn t have any hvac equipment or air ducts you should install cellulose installation. You won t have any problem with it being accidentally exposed as it s not harmful at all. First installing the product requires labor to staple netting to the stud walls prior to blowing insulation into the cavities.

A number of factors should be taken into consideration when choosing between these two especially the climate zone that you re building in. Spray foam insulation drawbacks. If you don t have hvac and ducts in the attic spray foam on the roofline isn t really necessary.