What Makes Insulation Most Energy Efficient

With the abundance of insulation products on the market today, choosing the most energy efficient insulation for your attic can seem overwhelming. Although it’s best to get professional advice before you make a choice, it’s good to understand the various qualities of insulation and how they affect energy efficiency.

What Insulation Does and How Its Effectiveness is Measured

Insulation’s purpose is to slow the movement or flow of heat energy. An insulation product’s effectiveness at resisting heat flow is called R-value, and this value varies depending on the type of insulation and the material it’s made from. Installing the right total R-value matters too, and in our climate region, the recommended amount for attics is R-49 to R-60. R-value is cumulative, as well, so if you have some insulation already in place, your installer can calculate its R-value and then add new insulation to reach the optimal level.

Factors To Consider in Addition to R-Value

While the total R-value matters a lot, the type of insulation you choose can ultimately determine how much improvement in efficiency you gain. Here are three of the most common types of insulation used in attics, and how they perform:

Blanket. Fiberglass, mineral wool or natural-fiber blanket insulation comes in various thicknesses up to R-38, and in standard widths to fit between framing joists. The main drawback of installing blanket insulation on an attic floor is that it’s almost impossible to avoid gaps in the coverage, especially around obstructions and penetrations.
Spray foam. Spray foam insulation is a mix of chemicals that expands to fill a space. Available in open- or closed-cell types, it’s usually professionally applied to the underside of a roof. Closed-cell offers a higher resistance to heat flow, but the R-value achieved depends on how well/thick it’s applied. It’s the most costly type of attic insulation, but it can be a good option if you plan to finish your attic.
Loose-fill. There are two main types of loose-fill insulation; fiberglass and cellulose. Both are installed using a blower that fluffs the material to create air pockets and are ideal for insulating an attic’s small or oddly-shaped spaces and hard-to-reach areas. However, fiberglass insulation resists mold and decay, it retains its R-value long-term, and it’s the most cost-effective option.

For expert help choosing the most energy efficient insulation for the attic in your Elk Grove Village home, contact us at Adams Roofing Professionals.

I wanted to let you know about an experience I had with one of your employees. I live at 1200 Knottingham Court in Kingsport Estates and apparently, your company is servicing our condo association. My building has had a leak in the entryway for several months and Eddie was dispatched out to have me show him the source of the leak inside. I met him on Friday, September 21st and just wanted to tell you how impressed I was with his friendliness and professionalism. He immediately found the source of the leak and even went up on the roof to show me. He assured me that someone would take care of it as soon as possible and told me he would give the report priority to avoid any further damage. As someone who used to be in Customer Service, I always value a company that hires people that are not only skilled at their trade, but also skilled at interacting with people. Eddie is a great example of that and I wanted you to know so you could tell him what a great job he does! I am so glad that Alma Management chose Adams Roofing to be our roofing contractor!... [more]

Jeremy Q, CMCA, AMS

Adams Roofing has a great team to work perfectly with condo and townhome Associations. We are currently in the middle of a 6 year, 49 building tear-off project. Adams works hand in hand with the engineers, delivers according to the specifications, and provides great customer service to the homeowners and management team.... [more]

Sue T.

Good Afternoon, I am writing to you on behalf of the Mission Hills M-8 Association. I would like to tell you how happy we are with the work that you completed for our Association. Your supervisor Eddie was great. We liked his professionalism and his work ethic. He kept us informed, and delivered on all his promises. Please make sure that any other jobs you do for us include him. Best regards, Joey Mission Hills Management... [more]

Brett K.

Charlie, Thanks very much for replacing the gutter! No one has been out to do it, at least before I left for work this morning. But I will definitely let you know whether it’s done correctly. I am very satisfied with your roofing job. It looks great, and more importantly, there were no leaks when it rained (even though we haven’t gotten really hard rains yet). So, I have been very pleased with my experience with Adams, especially with the professionalism and responsiveness of you and Dan. Thanks.... [more]

Keith M.

I wanted to take a moment to comment on your technician, Eddie. Eddie was assigned to inspect a roof leak I am having in my home in Cobblestone Circle. He was prompt, professional, courteous and informative; everything a customer could ask for when inviting a contractor into their home. Eddie represents Adams Roofing Well; and clearly he is an asset to your company. Kudos to him! Thank you.... [more]

Rick H.