# Proper insulation in the attic **URL:** \ **Category:** NYSpeed Off Topic\ **Created:** [September 1, 2009, 7:10am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/proper-insulation-in-the-attic/72927 "2009-09-01T07:10:26Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![rugsr](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/rugsr/32/7474_2.png) [@rugsr](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/rugsr)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2009, 7:10am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/proper-insulation-in-the-attic/72927/1 "2009-09-01T07:10:26Z")
My house was freezing this morning! I know it went down to 50ish last night but my house was 65 this morning. Im not going to turn the heat on yet but I dont think i have enough insulation up in the attic. Home depot has this little ruler that shows how much you need to have depending where you live. I guess up here in Buffalo is says something like 19" of insul…yea…I have 5.5" between my 2x6’s. Anyone increase their insul last year and see a difference? One thing that will suck is if i do increase the insul another 13" or so. Ill be knee deep in it when trying to run wires next time i go up there…and thats gonna suck You guys add rools or blown in? Thanks ---
**Author:** ![JayS](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/jays/32/15375_2.png) [@JayS](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/JayS)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2009, 7:15am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/proper-insulation-in-the-attic/72927/2 "2009-09-01T07:15:33Z")
I’d start by finding where you have air leaks. Windows, doors, outlets, recessed lighting, sills (where your house meets your basement). Pay to have an energy audit done. They don’t cost much an a pro will come in and tell you were you’ll get the best ROI for energy improvements. ---
**Author:** ![97FormulaWS-6](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/97formulaws-6/32/7384_2.png) [@97FormulaWS-6](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/97FormulaWS-6)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2009, 7:22am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/proper-insulation-in-the-attic/72927/3 "2009-09-01T07:22:23Z")
I’m going to spend like $300 later this month on blown-in. Best bang-for-the-buck because I’m about the same in my attic. I’ve got between 6-8"; mixed rolls and blown in. HD throws in the blower rental for free if you buy like $100 of the insulation. ---
**Author:** ![66impalass](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/66impalass/32/7429_2.png) [@66impalass](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/66impalass)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2009, 8:59am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/proper-insulation-in-the-attic/72927/4 "2009-09-01T08:59:35Z")
Insulation value is not measured in depth, it should be measured in a R or U value, IECC states that your insulation should be R-30. ---
**Author:** ![rugsr](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/rugsr/32/7474_2.png) [@rugsr](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/rugsr)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2009, 8:59am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/proper-insulation-in-the-attic/72927/5 "2009-09-01T08:59:42Z")
Cool^ yea R-13=2x4 R-19=2x6 R-30 must be about another 12" or so. ill find a chart Yea, I hear huggsceo will come out and do an energy audit for free. BUT, isnt that the company that stole money from people…or did have-ass jobs? Not that I would have them do the work, ill do that myself…i think Anyone use them at all. Theres some reviews about them on Google that are pretty bad. ---
**Author:** ![rugsr](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/rugsr/32/7474_2.png) [@rugsr](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/rugsr)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2009, 9:03am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/proper-insulation-in-the-attic/72927/6 "2009-09-01T09:03:27Z")
this chart says i need R-49…jeeeeeeez and I have R-19 up there, HAHA. im way under [http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.thinkinsulationusa.com/images/table.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.thinkinsulationusa.com/r\_value.htm&usg=\_\_1kDIue\_F5\_Nozor7EgprMHTTIGE=&h=655&w=400&sz=77&hl=en&start=3&sig2=eQ51m\_KgnPLDXWVII\_e8Fw&um=1&tbnid=imHrGtirIQGZ0M:&tbnh=138&tbnw=84&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dr-value%2Bchart%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DN%26um%3D1&ei=TEWdSqqqM-DFmQeb4pimAw](http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.thinkinsulationusa.com/images/table.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.thinkinsulationusa.com/r_value.htm&usg=__1kDIue_F5_Nozor7EgprMHTTIGE=&h=655&w=400&sz=77&hl=en&start=3&sig2=eQ51m_KgnPLDXWVII_e8Fw&um=1&tbnid=imHrGtirIQGZ0M:&tbnh=138&tbnw=84&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dr-value%2Bchart%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DN%26um%3D1&ei=TEWdSqqqM-DFmQeb4pimAw) ---
**Author:** ![Blue\_Eyed\_Devil](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/blue_eyed_devil/32/7292_2.png) [@Blue\_Eyed\_Devil](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Blue_Eyed_Devil)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2009, 9:15am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/proper-insulation-in-the-attic/72927/7 "2009-09-01T09:15:13Z")
You are most likely losing TONS of heat through your windows if they are not new. You can insulate all you want but if your windows are old they are no where near as good as new windows, the technolgy has come a long way even in just a few years. ---
**Author:** ![FourEyed](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/foureyed/32/7216_2.png) [@FourEyed](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/FourEyed)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2009, 9:15am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/proper-insulation-in-the-attic/72927/8 "2009-09-01T09:15:57Z")
Buy a few rolls of unfaced R-30 and roll it perpendicular to your rafters on top of your other insulation. You should be good to go. ---
**Author:** ![travisn](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/travisn/32/5046_2.png) [@travisn](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/travisn)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2009, 9:24am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/proper-insulation-in-the-attic/72927/9 "2009-09-01T09:24:28Z")
> [@rugsr](#): > > …or did have-ass jobs? it’s “half-assed” continue ---
**Author:** ![Xander](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/xander/32/7597_2.png) [@Xander](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Xander)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2009, 9:30am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/proper-insulation-in-the-attic/72927/10 "2009-09-01T09:30:16Z")
Gutted the upstairs and had it sprayed with Icenyne, I can heat the upstairs with a candle ![http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v79/x_iliohan/Picture098.jpg](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v79/x_iliohan/Picture098.jpg) X… ---
**Author:** ![Motocrossx23](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/motocrossx23/32/5120_2.png) [@Motocrossx23](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Motocrossx23)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2009, 9:37am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/proper-insulation-in-the-attic/72927/11 "2009-09-01T09:37:26Z")
I read the title of this thread as “prostitution in the attic” Lol ---
**Author:** ![97FormulaWS-6](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/97formulaws-6/32/7384_2.png) [@97FormulaWS-6](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/97FormulaWS-6)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2009, 9:39am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/proper-insulation-in-the-attic/72927/12 "2009-09-01T09:39:33Z")
> [@Xander](#): > > Gutted the upstairs and had it sprayed with Icenyne, I can heat the upstairs with a candle > > X… Did u have to put in the stryofoam runners or whatever they are inbetween the rafters before you did that? How much did it cost you?!?! I’m going to be doing some remodeling in my upstairs next fall and was thinking about using something similar to that… but wasn’t sure on the $$$ ---
**Author:** ![Southtowns27](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/southtowns27/32/5002_2.png) [@Southtowns27](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Southtowns27)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2009, 9:44am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/proper-insulation-in-the-attic/72927/13 "2009-09-01T09:44:16Z")
I just finished building my house. We put R-38 cathedral in the ceiling and R-21 in the walls. I also have the best Anderson 400 series windows. Spendy, but worth it. R-38 cathedral is 10 1/2" thick, regular R-38 is 12" thick. I don’t know if that helps you at all. I heated the house for the entire winter on only 10 face cord of firewood with no other means of heat. ---
**Author:** ![KENLUDE97](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/kenlude97/32/7464_2.png) [@KENLUDE97](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/KENLUDE97)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2009, 9:50am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/proper-insulation-in-the-attic/72927/14 "2009-09-01T09:50:18Z")
My 1947 Cap Cod style house had ZERO insulation in the Attic/crawlspace, or anywhere in the house for that fact. Last fall i added about R30 value to the attic. On cold winter mornings it was in the low 50°’s upper 40°’s in my bedroom that has 3 outside walls! With the thermostat set at 60° downstairs. In the summer it would see 100-110° on a hot day. A newish 10,000btu AC unit could bairly get the temp in the room down to 80°. Now i saw a high of 85° this summer when it was in the upper 90’s. Last winter i saw a about 60° in the mornings. So it DEF made a big difference! But if you do so you need to make sure that you add venting to the attic, like a ridge vent and soffit vents. The AC unit now can bring the room down to 67° (for sleeping) in about 2 hour’s or so. My “budgeted bill” also dropped about $20 per month. So it has DEF paid off allready and that was only after 1 winter. I think i spent about $300 in insulation. Good luck! Its worth it, just a PITA. ---
**Author:** ![Xander](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/xander/32/7597_2.png) [@Xander](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Xander)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2009, 9:56am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/proper-insulation-in-the-attic/72927/15 "2009-09-01T09:56:54Z")
> [@97FormulaWS-6](#): > > Did u have to put in the stryofoam runners or whatever they are inbetween the rafters before you did that? How much did it cost you?!?! > > I’m going to be doing some remodeling in my upstairs next fall and was thinking about using something similar to that… but wasn’t sure on the $$$ It’s a totally different system, so no vents at all. I think the spraying was around $4-5,000. X… ---
**Author:** ![66impalass](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/66impalass/32/7429_2.png) [@66impalass](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/66impalass)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2009, 11:27am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/proper-insulation-in-the-attic/72927/16 "2009-09-01T11:27:39Z")
> [@rugsr](#): > > Cool^ > yea R-13=2x4 > R-19=2x6 > R-30 must be about another 12" or so. > ill find a chart wHAT YOU POSTED IS COMPLETELY WRONG, AND DEPENDS ON WHAT DENSITY THE INSULATION YOU USE IS > [@KENLUDE97](#): > > In the summer it would see 100-110° on a hot day. A newish 10,000btu AC unit could bairly get the temp in the room down to 80°. Thats because that is less than 1 ton of cooling capacity, less than one ton is meant to cool about 600 square feet with about 4% of all wall area being windows. Don’t forget you will only get a 20° DeltaT ---
**Author:** ![Eazy716](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/eazy716/32/7443_2.png) [@Eazy716](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Eazy716)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2009, 11:28am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/proper-insulation-in-the-attic/72927/17 "2009-09-01T11:28:24Z")
> [@97FormulaWS-6](#): > > Did u have to put in the stryofoam runners or whatever they are inbetween the rafters before you did that? How much did it cost you?!?! > > I’m going to be doing some remodeling in my upstairs next fall and was thinking about using something similar to that… but wasn’t sure on the $$$ If by chance you need any of those styro runner things, let me know, i have a bunch left over from my garage that ill sell you cheap. they’re just wasting space in my garage ---
**Author:** ![rojaul](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/6de8d8/32.png) [@rojaul](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/rojaul)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2009, 1:31pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/proper-insulation-in-the-attic/72927/18 "2009-09-01T13:31:40Z")
I added insulation to my attic last fall. I did the blown in stuff from home depot. It helped a lot. I only had the roll out fiberglass stuff before. I added about 16" of cellulose on top of that. Now the upstairs of my house is noticably warmer in the winter. I also have new replacement windows. I may try to insulate the exterior walls this fall. ---
**Author:** ![STSagona](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/7ab992/32.png) [@STSagona](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/STSagona)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2009, 1:46pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/proper-insulation-in-the-attic/72927/19 "2009-09-01T13:46:00Z")
> [@JayS](#): > > I’d start by finding where you have air leaks. Windows, doors, outlets, recessed lighting, sills (where your house meets your basement). > > Pay to have an energy audit done. They don’t cost much an a pro will come in and tell you were you’ll get the best ROI for energy improvements. Call Hughesco at 691-Home today…No really do it. Free audit. Find out what would be best to get done and either pay them to do it or do it yourself. ---
**Author:** ![Eazy716](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/eazy716/32/7443_2.png) [@Eazy716](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Eazy716)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2009, 1:51pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/proper-insulation-in-the-attic/72927/20 "2009-09-01T13:51:02Z")
I was told that they only do the free audit if you buy the work/products thru them. Otherwise they charge you for the audit? true/false? [Next page](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/proper-insulation-in-the-attic/72927.md?page=2)