How Much Insulation Is Required In An Attic In Texas

If you think you re among the 90 of us homes that are under insulated 1 performing a simple insulation inspection will help you determine your insulation needs.

How much insulation is required in an attic in texas.

Having the correct amount of attic insulation can help you maintain a comfortable temperature throughout your home and help save money on your energy bills plus prevent major issues like ice dams in the winter. The average recommended level is 17 inches of r60. Residents of southern and central texas should insulate their attics to at least r 30 or about 9 5 inches of conventional fiberglass batt insulation. For example if you have a type of insulation that has an r value of r 5 per inch of thickness you will need a depth of 6 inches of this insulation installed your attic to reach r 30 if you live in zones 2 or 3.

Recommended insulation levels for retrofitting existing wood framed buildings. Dallas texas falls in climate zone three where attics are recommended to have an r value between 38 49 this means a minimum of 12 of insulation. Insulation professionals will be able to tell you how much insulation you need based on. This weight however makes it too heavy to use in attic installations and it can settle over time losing as much as 20 of its effectiveness.

Loose fill cellulose on the other hand is a much heavier type of insulation which makes it very effective in low temperatures. The two types of attic insulation available for diy are loose fill insulation and batts insulation. Blown fiberglass installed in the attic has an r value of 2 2 per inch so 12 inches of it would give you an r value of 26 4 in your attic installation project. It depends on the type of insulator you use but the short answer is yes.

In zone 1 the average minimum requirement for attic insulation is 9 inches of r30 fill. Add insulation to attic. The thicker the better. If your attic insulation is only a few inches thick or if you can see the ceiling joists you re wasting money on your heating and cooling bills.

The insulation in your attic should be at least 12 thick. Existing 3 4 inches of insulation. Further attic insulation can be done with attic tents which insulate the attic drop down stairs and slice your energy bill by about 145 annually. Therefore a three inch thick board has an r value of 3.

The average recommended level is 14 inches of r49. If you live in the texas panhandle consider increasing your insulation level to at least r 38. What region you live in see the map below.