WARING: Do not add insulation over your existing insulation. Find out why it is a big mistake below…
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Got low attic insulation Austin? High energy bills? House uncomfortable?
If yes, then you are in the right place! At Stellrr, we fix uncomfortable homes! We fix high energy bills and help you save money. And we do this by addressing attic insulation Austin Texas.
Here I answer the most common questions we get about attic insulation. After reading this, please book a Diagnostic Consult.
What is the correct depth for attic insulation?
Many people ask “How much attic insulation is enough? How much R-value should I have?”
Most attic insulation is deficient. Homes are under-insulated according to the current IECC and City of Austin building code requirements. Why? Before the year 2000, there were NO energy codes required minimums for insulation. Plus, even a new home can be uncomfortable or have damaged insulation. Questions? Call 512-520-0044!
The problem is often bigger than simply the amount of insulation in the attic.
What is an easy way to know if you need new insulation? If you can see the joists in your attic floor, then your own home is under-insulated. You want to have at least an R-49 (COA code went from R-38 up to R-49 in 2021). BUT, many homes are still uncomfortable even with the proper R-value on the floor.
How can Stellrr fix my attic with blown cellulose insulation?
We believe attics must be air sealed, before insulating. So our process is very different than most contractors who just “Put Lipstick on a Pig” and don’t fix comfort or energy savings problems.
- Here Stellrr removed the soiled attic insulation near Austin.
- Air sealed the penetrations and leaky cracks.
- Encapsulated the HVAC system air ducts to ensure your air conditioning is delivered at the perfect temperature.
- Lastly, blew in Energy Star highly recommended level of R-60 All Boric Cellulose attic insulation. It was a great job!
What about foam attic insulation around Austin Texas?
Since spray foam insulation is applied to the roof-decking and rafters on the attic ceiling, the R-value required is only R-25 of open cell foam. Why? For starters, foam is a significantly better performing product, and it is a barrier for all 3-types of heat transfer. Plus, with spray insulation, you don’t need an extra radiant barrier because foam is a radiant barrier.
Why does foam only require R-25 to meet code requirements when the City of Austin requires R-49 for blown insulation? The difference is this: R-49 is the prescriptive code. Meaning, how the code was written. But, the City recognizes that R-25 preforms equal to or better than the R-49 prescribed code. Prescriptive vs Performance code.
Comparing Fiberglass versus Spray Foam
Which attic insulation material is best for the Austin Texas area?
This is a very common question. The fact is that it depends on how you plan to use the building. If you are a production builder and just want to meet code requirements while building the cheapest product, then I have one answer. However, if you are the one who is going to own the building for at least 3-years and pay utility bill, then there is a significantly different and better option.
Where to install Austin attic insulation?
Short answer is, the entire attic floor should be covered with insulation. If you are using spray polyurethane foam, then we highly recommend the attic ceiling (roof deck) be sprayed. Foam does great work as a radiant barrier. If you have vaulted ceilings, or multiple ceiling heights, then insulation must be stuck to the back of the drywall. We often see hot spots in one room where there is a raised ceiling. Fiberglass batt insulation is often stuffed up against the raised ceiling wall, and falls down (becoming useless) over time.
Batt insulation in attics is a problem building assembly.
Compared: Fiberglass versus Cellulose Insulation?
When to add attic insulation?
The best time to have planted a tree was 30 years ago. The next best time is today. Likewise, it would be great to have fixed the problem building assembly in your attic when it was cheaper. But attic insulation costs are only going up.
You can continue to pay to waste energy and be uncomfortable. Or you can fix things and be saving money down the road. Plus, more importantly, you will be creating a healthier, safer environment for your family to have the best experience.
The longer you wait, the more expensive it will be to fix your attic insulation.
When to remove or replace attic insulation?
It is more costly to remove insulation than it is to simply add more on top of the existing insulation. Before learning how to insulate an attic in Texas, you need to know about removal. Here are a few reasons why you would want existing radiant barrier and insulation removed:
- Is someone living in the building allergic to the insulation material installed?
- Does someone in the building have a sensitivity to outside allergens coming into the Austin home via the vented envelope?
- Is there excessive dust, dust mites, and other things filtering into the home via the attic?
- Have animals nested and left feces behind that is venting into your air space?
- Do you have mold or too much moisture in your attic?
- Do you have asbestos in your old attic insulation?
When you remove the insulation, you can hire the insulation installation crew to air-seal the attic floor if you are replacing the insulation with another blown or batt material. If you are creating a closed envelope with closed cell foam or open cell foam, you can then remove nasty old insulation and create storage space across your attic. Questions? Call 512-520-0044!
The bottom line is that, insulating an attic, without air sealing is Mal-practice!
Calculator: how much insulation do I need in my attic in Texas?
Your best bet is to have a professional give you an estimate. Most of the time with Austin insulation, it is more expensive to install it yourself than it is to hire a pro to help lower your electric bill. Very counterintuitive. Hire Stellrr. We are extremely professional. Will do an excellent job. You will have a great experience. We are great roof insulation installers.
What does Austin attic insulation cost?
The cost ranges widely depending on whether you have fiberglass, cellulose or spray foam installed. However, to FIX IT RIGHT, we are often seeing the cost being $7,000 – $14,000 per 1,000 sq ft of attic.
Now if you want to “Put Lipstick On A Pig” and not fix anything, the material costs of blowing more attic insulation can be as low as $2,000 per 1,000 sq ft of attic. If you want to save money on air conditioning and cooling costs with home insulation, do it right. It’s not as simple as adding a radiant barrier. Get a free estimate from Stellrr. We will look at your attic and crawlspace insulation.
Most Trusted Experts for Getting Your Attic Insulated in Austin, Texas
We’re open Mo-Su 6:00AM – 10:00PM.
Stellrr has been serving the Austin area for many years. For additional questions you can call us today at (512) 520-0044 or you can find us on Yelp, Houzz or Google.
Contact Us
Stellrr Insulation & Spray Foam
401 Congress Ave Ste 1540, Austin, TX 78701
(512) 520-0044
Insulation Services Offered
- Spray Foam Insulation
- Blown Insulation
- Radiant Barrier
- Crawl Space Encapsulation
- Floor Insulation
- Insulation Removal
- Attic Insulation
- Wall Insulation
Stellrr’s Attic Insulation Service Area
Stellrr’s Serves Central Texas including Austin, Bastrop, Bee Cave, Buda, Canyon Lake, Cedar Park, Elgin, Kyle, Lakeway, Lockhart, Pflugerville, Round Rock, San Marcos, Spicewood, West Lake Hills, Rollingwood, San Antonio and surrounding central Texas cities.
Here is what to do next!
Call 512-520-0044 today! Claim your Home Energy Audit, Thermal Mapping, and Blower Door Test ($297 Value FREE). Or download our e-book: Secrets to Making Your Home Comfortable & Energy Efficient (A $27 Value)! So you can make an informed and intelligent decision when hiring an air duct insulation contractor near me!
