6 Frequently Asked Questions About Attic Insulation Removal and Replacement

Insulating your home with the right insulation material can dramatically reduce your energy costs. Homeowners will no longer depend on air conditioners or heaters to maintain a comfortable temperature in their homes. It not only helps in reducing the energy costs, but it protects the structure as a whole. 

In our experience providing insulation services, we have found that using the wrong type of insulation material can worsen the situation by causing problems like reducing energy efficiency, mold, fungus, water stains, and even rotting wall framing and plywood sheathing. 

‍It is quite understandable that many homeowners are confused when choosing the type of insulation material they should use to insulate specific areas of their homes, such as attics, walls, crawlspaces, and many others. So, usually, they have a lot of questions in their minds about home insulation. 

Many homeowners are surprised to know how much benefits updated home insulation can provide in terms of their comfort and, of course, energy savings. However, before making that one-time investment, they want to clear all their doubts and queries regarding insulation removal and replacements, and at Critter Stop, we will be happy to help!

Frequently Asked Questions About Attic Insulation Removal and Replacement

Are you considering removing or replacing your home insulation? Do you have tons of questions in your mind? To help you clear all your confusions and queries, here are the six frequently asked questions about attic insulation removal and replacement, along with detailed answers: 

Question #1: Is Attic Insulation Necessary, and How Important Is It?

As experts in insulation, we can affirm that the attic is undoubtedly the most crucial area of your house to consider insulating since heat rises and escapes from the attic. You don't want a poorly insulated attic to make your house less energy efficient, potentially costing you many thousands of dollars over the long-term. Also, appropriate insulation can help you avoid mold growth, which means no bad odors will be lingering around your house. 

‍If you want to insulate your attic, fiberglass is the most common option. While spray foam insulation is growing in popularity, it usually makes the most sense with newbuild construction, for a variety of reasons. If you decide to use blown-in fiberglass insulation for your attic, your home may require 10-19 inches of insulation material, depending on your climate zone.

Question #2: What Should I Consider When Installing New Insulation?

There are many important factors to consider before choosing the right type of insulation material for your house. 

W‍hen we provide insulation services, we always consider some of these essential factors before choosing the type of insulation material:

R-Value 

R-value refers to a measurement of the effectiveness of insulation. The higher the insulation material's R-value, the more efficient it will be in limiting the heat transfer, and the higher its performance will be. Therefore, it is important to compare R-value effectiveness when comparing the affordability of different options, since the higher R-value insulation will require less material to have the same impact.

‍Different insulation materials have different R-values, but even different brands of the same insulation type will have different R-values. So, it is better to always check the R-value before deciding on insulation material. 

Climate 

The climate of your house's area will also determine the R-value for your insulation needs. If you live in an area where weather conditions are mild, insulation with a lower R-value, or less attic insulation on the whole, may suffice.

‍However, you will need higher R-value insulation (or much more of the lower R-value insulation) to maintain a comfortable temperature in your house if it is located in an area where temperatures are extreme. The U.S. Department of Energy provides exact R-value recommendations based on your geography and climate zone.

‍For customers in the Dallas – Fort Worth Metroplex, the U.S. Department of Energy recommends R-38 insulation. As a result, construction codes in Dallas, Fort Worth, and the surrounding metropolitan areas, require R-38 for newbuild construction.

Cost 

The cost of home insulation varies depending on its type and material. The more durable the material, the higher its costs will be. So, it is necessary to compare R-value costs to decide whether a specific type of insulation material is right for you or not.

Environment 

Different types of insulation materials have different impacts on the environment. If you are looking for an environment-friendly insulation material, then cellulose insulation is a great choice for you. It is composed entirely of recycled waste materials. 

‍While other types of insulation materials are less environment-friendly, cellulose insulation comes with a shorter lifespan and is not very moisture resistant, which can leave your attic more susceptible to mold. 

Design of Your House 

The design of your house should also be considered when selecting the type of insulation material. If your house has a complicated design, it may be better to go with spray foam at time of construction, or even blown-in insulation as a second option, as it will be more suitable for insulating areas that are difficult to access, and thus more expensive to install batt insulation.

‍If your house has a traditional or standard style, insulation batts may be a more cost-effective option for walls and slanted ceilings. 

Question #3: Is It Necessary to Remove Existing Insulation Before Installing New Insulation?

Old home insulation compresses and loses its effectiveness with time, which makes the installation of new insulation necessary. However, if your insulation is not contaminated with rodent's urine and fecal droppings, mold, or dust, it can be used as an additional insulating layer, reducing the insulation needed to reach your desired height while also avoiding the time and effort of removing your current insulation.

‍Suppose your old insulation is dusty and moldy. In that case, it should be immediately removed with the help of a DFW insulation professional as it will contaminate the air quality of your house greatly.

Question #4: Is Insulating Your Attic A DIY Project? What Precautions Should Be Taken While Insulating Your House Yourself? 

It usually does not take rocket science to add insulation to most attics. However, if you need to remove your current insulation, or want to do anything out of the ordinary, you will likely need a professional insulation company’s help, which can utilize their specialized equipment. 

‍Also, if your old insulation is moldy and dusty, it may not be safe to handle it yourself. As a result, it may be better to leave the removal and installation of insulation to a local insulation company with years of experience. However, suppose you want to do it yourself to save on installation costs. In that case, at a bare minimum, you will need protective clothing and anti-fog goggles to keep yourself safe from hazardous substances while removing the contaminated insulation. 

Question #5: What Questions Should You Ask Your Insulation Contractor?

If you have decided to hire an insulation contractor for installing your new insulation, it is necessary to choose a professional one. Attic insulation is a one-time investment that will pay dividends for years. So, it is important that it is done properly.

‍Before hiring a contractor, you must ask a few questions to get a better idea of which services are part of the quoted price and which will cost you additional charges. For example, make sure disposal of your old and contaminated insulation is a part of any deal you sign. Most providers of insulation services include this, but not all! 

‍Some of the questions you may want to ask your contractor are:

How long have you been in a business? 

It takes time to master any skill. So, the first question you may want to ask is about the age of the insulation company to know how much experience the company has. Any company with several years of experience has likely worked in hundreds of attics and has the experience necessary to handle any issue that may arise. 

What type of insulation material do you recommend? And why?

It is better to ask your contractor what type of insulation material will be used. Also, let him or her explain the pros and cons of each product so you can make a well-informed decision. You want to ensure you are comparing apples to apples and keep the contractor from verbally quoting one insulation type then installing another, cheaper type.

Question #6: How Much Will Attic Insulation Removal and Replacement Cost?

The cost of home insulation can vary depending on various factors such as the square footage of the attic, the number of floors, design, location, and type of insulation material. “It depends” is the worst answer, but even for a top off, the expense is in the thousands of dollars. Luckily, with insulation, unlike many other home renovation projects, the level of investment correlates highly with the level of savings you will experience going forward.

‍Conclusion

Contacting an insulation company near you for help with installing new attic insulation may seem like an unnecessary cost. However, even if the best insulation material is installed incorrectly, it will not make your home near as energy-efficient as it could be. Unless you have ample experience, it is often better to take help from one of the best providers of insulation services available in the area. For residents in the Dallas – Fort Worth Metroplex, contact Critter Stop to get your home well-insulated at an affordable price. Stop wasting energy; start saving money! Call us at (214) 234-2616.