Attic Insulation Washington, D.C.

Are you here because the DIY insulation couldn’t rid your home of all the air leakages? Do you want a permanent solution to your uncomfortable indoor temperature that a heating appliance can’t control?
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To get the job done, you’ve landed the right place. Besides providing attic insulation in Washington, D.C., we can insulate your home walls, roof, ducts, plumbing system, pipes, etc.
We all know that small holes and air leaks, which produce what are commonly known as ‘drafts’, are the primary sources of heat loss in the winter. Being prominent in winter, these drafts can be tricky to get rid of. In our experience, people often choose the DIY route to seal those small holes and leakages, yet they don’t get the results. If you belong to the same group, you’re in the right place.

Do you know why you failed to get rid of all those air leakages? There must be a lot more drafts in your attic and basement. In fact, the attic and basement play a significant role in increasing or decreasing your energy bills. Since we talked about it, let’s look at why you can’t get the optimal indoor atmosphere even after paying for the heating system.

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Air Leakage and Heating Appliance Performance

Holes and leakages sit under the insulation, which is why they’re quite difficult to spot. When you turn on the heater in cold weather, the warm air rises. Upon reaching the attic, it sucks in the cold air. Not only does it suck the cold air from the ceilings but also from the hidden holes on the walls, near the windows and doors, and the basement. 

This accumulation of cold air reduces your house’s internal temperature, so much that you need to increase the heat on your appliance.

Eventually, this leads to high utility bills. Moreover, because you’re relying more on your heating appliance, its maintenance cost will go higher.

This goes to show the importance of a well-insulated attic, and you better search for the best in town. DC Spray Foam Insulation has been offering top-notch attic insulation in Washington, D.C. across the city and surrounding areas. Our insulation contractors know exactly how much insulation your attic needs.

Attic Insulation and Common Concerns

While covering all the holes and drafts is one thing, getting optimal comfort is another. That’s because, without proper insulation, air leakage will start bothering you again in a few months, which you don’t want.

How Much is Enough

Inspect the span of your attic. If you see that the insulation is in line with or below the joists, this means you need to add a bit more. In contrast, if the joists are not visible because of the insulation, that should be enough; no need to add more.

• That said, you need to make sure that the insulation on your attic should be evenly distributed. Make sure there are no low spots.
• Insulation in the middle and along the eaves should be smooth and even.

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To inspect your attic insulation Washington, D.C., you can hire DC Spray Foam Insulation without wasting a second. Our insulation contractors will take a closer look at your attic and provide an honest opinion in your best interest.

​How Much Insulation You Need to Add in Your Attic

To review the present state of your attic, what we’ve discussed above will help you a lot. But still, there are chances of missing an odd tiny hole or crack when you’re doing it on your own. However, professionals would easily identify the type of insulation and its age.

Don’t be surprised if they tell you to add a layer of open-cell or closed-cell insulation to strengthen the existing insulation. Actually, it isn’t only about the thickness; material quality also matters.

Here, R-value is a good indicator to determine what the right insulation for you is. Ideally, high-performing attics are the ones with R-38. In simple words, depending on the type, the insulation thickness should be 10 to 14 inches.
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If you know the R-value of your home or office, you’ll choose your materials wisely. 

Call (202) 915-3464

​R-Value

According to the IECC, Washington, D.C. comes under Zone 5 and 6.

• In Zone 5: the R-value for ceilings should 38. For wooden walls, it is 20, while mass walls should have an R-value of 15/19.
• In Zone 6: in this zone, the R-value for ceilings, wood-frame walls, and mass walls should be 49, 20, and 13/7.

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To meet these requirements, you’re going to need a solid material that gives more R-value with less application. In this context, Spray Foam Insulation, with closed and open-cell types, offers the best results. Closed-cell insulation offers up to R-6.5 per inch whereas open-cell gives R-4.0 per inch.

Among other materials:

• Blown-in fiberglass offers up to R-2.7 per inch, while batts and rolls offer up to R-4.3 per inch.
• Cellulose or loose-fill insulation offers can go as high as R-3.8 per inch
• Cotton insulation offers a per inch R-value of 3.4
• Rock wool insulation offers a maximum of 3.3 per inch

​Installing Insulation Over Existing Insulation

To begin with, you can install new insulation over the old one, given that it’s good enough. 

​Considerations and Tips

According to energy star:

• You can’t install faced insulation on top of the old one. If you’re installing batts or rolls, make sure they don’t have retarders; otherwise, it builds up moisture between the old and new layers.
• You can install blown-in cellulose or fiberglass over an existing one. In some cases, batts and rolls may be applied.
• Don’t forget to air seal the attic before installing the new insulation
  
• Use energy star certified materials and products to ensure long-lasting protection 

​Professional Attic Insulation Washington, D.C.

So, if you believed you could only install the same insulation as the existing one, we’ve broken the myth. That said, you need extensive experience in choosing the right material and installing it. Otherwise, your money and efforts will go wasted. Couple it up with the frustration of high energy bills and an uncomfortable indoor atmosphere.
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Therefore, we won’t recommend you install it on your own. Let experts handle the job for you. DC Spray Foam, for example, has been around for years, helping homes and businesses with long-lasting attic insulation solutions. We’re just a call away!  

Things to Remember While Removing the Existing Insulation

Removing your attic insulation may look simple, but it isn’t. There are quite a few things to keep in mind in order to prevent any accident or property damage.

• Make sure dirt and dust particles don’t enter your home and affect the indoor air. Not only will it cause suffocation, but it will also create a mess in the entire house
• For this purpose, use large plastic sheets and cover all the holes and cracks to keep the mess in one place.  
• Use high power, HEPA-filter vacuum to remove the dirt. Make sure they have a large storage capacity to collect as much dirt as possible. Use a smaller vacuum if the attic is too small.
• To collect the removed insulation off the vacuum, keep large trash bags. Secure them tightly before disposal. 
• Use appropriate PPE, including goggles, masks, and clothing to protect yourself.
• Make sure you know the safety spots leading you to all the corners of the attic. Any unplanned step could result in injury or property damage.
• Make sure that you dispose of the old insulation in a safe location that offers appropriate waste management.
• Follow local rules to dispose of the waste accordingly.

That said, it’s harder than it seems. So, instead of removing the old insulation yourself, hire insulation professionals who are aware of all the local insulation removal guidelines. DC Spray Foam Insulation comprises of professionals who can remove any type of insulation without any hassle.  

​Attic Insulation Timespan

You might ask what we meant by ‘long-lasting attic insulation’. How long should your attic insulation last? To understand that, you need to know what insulation type you have. So, here’s brief information on the lifespans of different insulation materials.

​Spray Foam Insulation

Arguably, the most durable and long-lasting solution, SPF insulation can last a lifetime. But that also depends on how it was installed. Spray foam, when insulated professionally, remains unaffected by moisture, mold, and pests. Until you remove it physically, it doesn’t lose its grip on the wall, ceiling, roof, or other materials. 

Some good old houses that don’t often see extreme weather, construction or critters, have spray foam insulation as old as 80-100 years.

​Fiberglass Insulation

This one can also last for up to 100 years, but it seldom reaches that far. Due to environmental factors, fiberglass batts lose their efficiency in 15-20 years and start to fall.

​Cellulose Insulation

Cellulose material has a lifespan of nearly 30 years, but it hardly completes 15 years due to weather changes and moisture buildup.
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Therefore, DC Spray Foam Insulation always recommends going for SPF option rather than other methods. The installation may seem expensive, but it gives huge returns and cost-savings in the long run. 

Cost of Attic Insulation in Washington, D.C.

Of all the concerns, the installation cost is the most important element in determining the right type of insulation. To calculate the cost of attic insulation, you need to consider these:

• R-value you want to achieve
• Per unit cost of the material
• Cost of labor
• Cost of rental equipment
• Cost of purchased equipment

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Open-cell spray foam costs $0.44 - $0.65 per board foot, while closed-cell insulation costs $1 - $1.5 per board foot. Whereas, blown-in cellulose insulation costs $0.32 per sq. ft.

Add material cost and labor cost and then multiply it with the covered area of your attic. You’ll get your answer.

A rough estimate for blown-in fiberglass insulation is $1200, considering you have a 1000 sq. ft. attic and you want R-30.
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For an accurate estimate, you can call DC Spray Foam Insulation and talk to our expert. We’ll offer you the best rates in the entire Washington DC. 

Contact Us

Whether it’s installing from scratch, replacing old insulation, or adding new insulation on top of the old one, you can count on our licensed and insured attic insulation installation in Washington, D.C. Give us a call and we’ll be glad to help!

Call (202) 915-3464