Air Leaks

• Air leaks between the living spaces of your home and the attic are a major source of energy inefficiency around the home. Even minor gaps in the ceiling can allow a substantial volume of air to bypass your insulation over time. Some common areas that are prone to air leaks include gaps around electrical wires, chimneys, attic entrances, pipes, ceiling fixtures and air ducts. You can seal these gaps using insulation cut to fit the gaps, or spray foam insulation to seal them.
  
  

Insulation Options

• There are several types of insulation that are effective in ceilings. Fiberglass is a commonly used material that is available in batt and loose fill. Cellulose insulation is a form of loose fill, while sprayed foam insulation is made of polyurethane. Reflective insulation fits over the other types of insulation and is made from metal foil that is designed to reflect heat from the roof away from the living spaces of your home.
  
  

Installation

• Batt insulation comes in a rolled blanket that is cut to fit the spaces between the rafters in your ceiling. This type is simply laid in the spaces between the rafters. Make sure you leave at least one to three between the insulation and the underside of the roof to maintain adequate ventilation. Loose fill and spray insulations require a pneumatic blower to install. These insulation types are better equipped to fill irregular spaces and the sides of the attic underneath the eaves of your roof. Thwy work best if installed in layers at least 10 inches thick. Reflective insulation is installed over the top of your existing insulation, with the reflective side facing the underside of the roof.
  
  

Considerations

• Before you begin insulating your ceiling, you should check for air leaks and install a vapor barrier. A vapor barrier prevents the moisture in your home from reaching your insulation and damaging it. If you live in a hot climate, you can further improve the efficiency of your home during the summer with reflective insulation. When you install it, ensure that it does not compress the insulation below it. If you want to improve your existing insulation without replacing it, you can layer lighter insulation over the top of the old insulation to avoid compressing it.