What Is The Best Insulation To Use In Your Attic?

You may not often give much thought to your attic—other than when you store boxes of holiday decorations or search for old family photos. But the truth is that your attic is incredibly important to the overall energy efficiency of your home. 

An under-insulated or uninsulated attic can result in poor temperature stability and control throughout your house, as well as high energy bills in both summer and winter. A well-insulated attic, on the other hand, can offer consistently comfortable temperatures and substantial monthly savings. Of course, energy efficiency is also a great choice for the environment! 

So, you’re ready to insulate your attic but aren’t sure which type of insulation will be the best fit for the job? At STAR Building Materials, we frequently receive this inquiry from homeowners, and so we’ve put together a brief overview of attic insulation considerations and types to help you make an informed decision. 

If you still have questions about attic insulation after reading this post, a friendly and knowledgeable STAR Building Materials team member will be happy to assist you in person. 

Types of Attic Insulation

We can’t effectively talk about attic insulation options without talking about R-Value—a number that indicates how effectively a material resists the transfer of heat. Not surprisingly, insulation types with high R-Values have higher insulative performance than those with low R-Values. But just because an insulation type has a high R-Value doesn’t necessarily mean it will be the right choice for your attic project. 

Each type of insulation material has its unique strengths and benefits. Let’s take a closer look:

Attic Insulation Materials

• Fibreglass Insulation - Affordable, easily accessible, moisture and fire-resistant, and offering sound-proofing qualities, fibreglass insulation is a popular insulation option—but its R-Values are on the low side. 
• Foam Insulation - Foam insulation is high efficiency, resists mould and mildew, remains stable over time, and can act as a vapour barrier. Its R-Values are high, but it’s pricier than fibreglass insulation and may require professional installation. 
• Mineral Wool Insulation - Mineral wool insulation has similar properties to fibreglass insulation but offers more effective fire and water resistance and sound insulation. It’s also more expensive. 
• Blow-In Insulation - Blow-in insulation is an energy saving insulation that also offers soundproofing benefits, protects against fires, and is relatively quick and easy to install.  The three most common types of blow-in insulation are fibreglass, mineral wool, and cellulose.  
• Spray Foam Insulation - Spray foam can be a great option for insulating your attic floor and can offer high R-Values when effectively applied. 

Best Insulation for your Attic

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer for what is the best insulation for attic renovations. The best attic insulation for your project really depends on your needs, your budget, and your experience level (if you plan to do it yourself). 

Soundproof Insulation for your Attic

While any insulation will help to decrease noise transmission through your attic, blown-in Rockwool insulation is a great option when it comes to standard insulation with superior soundproofing capabilities. Speak to a STAR representative for more information about specialized soundproof insulation options. 

Attic Insulation Installation Cost

The cost of your attic insulation project will depend on the size of your attic, the type of insulation you select, and whether you choose to have it professionally installed or to do the work yourself. For more specifics about pricing, come visit us in-store to discuss your options in more detail. 

Ready to select attic insulation material and get started on increasing your home’s energy efficiency? Visit us at STAR Building Materials in Winnipeg today!