Attic Insulation Degrading

ghost7071 asks,

My wood frame house is approximately 21 years old. The insulation in the attic is the ‘roll’ type as is the same under the house. (House is on pillars approximately 4ft on one end and ground level on the other due to the ground slope). I have been replacing the insulation under the house with roll type but still notice you can feel colder air on your upper torso when walking around in the house. Would this type of insulation effectiveness degrade over 21 years? Thanks for helping.

Our Answer

Twenty-one years is a long time for any type of insulation to last. You should be checking and adding insulation as needed every year before cold weather arrives.

When you hear about insulation, you may hear the term R values – this is just a fancy way to measure the thermal resistance of things, including insulation. Different parts of the country require different R values, but you don’t have to memorize any numbers – just know that the Department of Energy recommends AT LEAST 15 and half inches of batt insulation. The experts at Owens Corning say you’ll do even better with 22 inches.

The attic is one of the most important areas to insulate. It’s a very EASY project you can do yourself. If you use the batt type of fiberglass insulation, just make sure you use gloves and a mask. Fiber glass insulation is non-combustible and non-corrosive by nature, which means that it won’t settle or lose its energy-saving abilities. For more great info on insulating your home, check out our article on insulation.