Absolutely! Attic insulation plays a crucial role in regulating the temperature of your home, especially on the upper floors. Here's why and how it helps:

Summer

During hot months, your roof absorbs a lot of heat, making the attic the hottest part of your home.

Without proper insulation, this heat can seep into the upper floors, making them uncomfortable despite air conditioning. Insulation acts as a barrier, reducing heat transfer from the attic to your living spaces, keeping your upper floors cooler. Read more in our article: Why is My Upstairs So Hot?

Winter

In colder months, heat rises and escapes through the attic if it’s not properly insulated. This results in a significant temperature drop on the upper floors. Insulation helps retain the heat, ensuring a more consistent and comfortable temperature throughout your home.

Where to Start

It's best to start with a home energy audit, which includes two to four hours of diagnostic testing on your home.

The result of all that testing? We'll know exactly how much air sealing and insulation your home needs - not just in the attic - but throughout the home. This is the best way to come up with plan that will deliver the results you want. Give us a call to schedule: 248-291-7815

Great question! Checking if you have enough attic insulation is simpler than you might think. Here’s a quick guide to help you out:

• Visual Inspection: Grab a flashlight and take a peek into your attic. If you can see the floor joists, it’s a sign that you likely need more insulation. In a well-insulated attic, the insulation should cover the joists completely and be evenly spread out.
• Measure the Depth: Another way to check is by measuring the depth of the insulation. In most climates, you should have about 10 to 14 inches of insulation (R-30 to R-49). If it’s less than that, you could benefit from adding more.
• Look for Uneven Areas: Insulation should be evenly distributed. If you notice any bare spots or areas where the insulation looks thin or compressed, these are signs that you need more or need to re-distribute what you have.
• Check for Drafts: If you feel drafts or notice significant temperature differences between floors, it’s a good indication that your insulation isn’t doing its job properly.
• Energy Bills: High energy bills can also be a clue. If your heating and cooling costs are higher than expected, poor insulation might be to blame.
• Professional Help: For a more accurate assessment, consider scheduling a home energy audit. We’ll measure the insulation's effectiveness and recommend exactly what you need to do to improve it. Call anytime: (248) 291-7815

Air sealing is all about closing up gaps and cracks in your home where air can leak in and out. Common spots include around windows, doors, and in your attic.

It’s super important because these leaks can make your heating and cooling systems work harder, leading to higher energy bills and less comfort.

By sealing these gaps, you can keep your home’s temperature more consistent, reduce drafts, and save money on energy costs. Plus, it helps improve indoor air quality by keeping out dust, pollen, and pests. For a quick and comfy home upgrade, air sealing is definitely worth it!

In Metro Detroit, the best attic insulation options are cellulose insulation and closed-cell spray foam insulation for specific areas. Here's why:

Cellulose Insulation

• Cost-Effective: Cellulose is a great choice for insulating your attic floor. It's made from recycled paper products, making it an eco-friendly option. It’s also cost-effective and has a good R-value, which means it provides excellent thermal resistance.
• Air Sealing: When blown in, cellulose fills gaps and voids better than other types of insulation, helping to reduce air leaks. This makes it a solid choice for improving energy efficiency and comfort in your home.

Closed-Cell Spray Foam Insulation

• High R-Value: For attic slopes or areas where you need a more robust insulation solution, closed-cell spray foam is the way to go. It has a higher R-value per inch compared to other insulation types, providing superior thermal resistance.
• Moisture Barrier: Closed-cell foam acts as both an insulation and a moisture barrier, which is particularly useful in preventing mold and mildew in attics.
• Structural Strength: This type of insulation also adds structural strength to your home, sealing every nook and cranny effectively.

What We Don’t Recommend

Open-Cell Spray Foam: While it’s less expensive, open-cell spray foam isn’t ideal for attics in our region due to its lower R-value and potential moisture absorption, which can lead to mold and mildew problems.

Choosing the right insulation can make a big difference in your home’s comfort and energy efficiency. If you’re not sure which type is best for your attic, we’re here to help! Give us a call at (248) 291-7815 or send us a message anytime.

If you need to use the attic floor for storage, we generally recommend applying closed-cell spray foam to the slopes of your attic (also called the "roof deck").

This method essentially brings the attic into the conditioned space of your home, providing excellent insulation without sacrificing storage space.

The cost of attic insulation in Metro Detroit can vary depending on a few factors. Here’s a general idea of what you can expect.

Please note that pricing is subject to change, and what applies generally may not apply to your home in particular. The best way to get an accurate estimate of your costs is to give us a call at (248) 291-7815.

Cellulose Attic Insulation

Cost Range:

Typically, the cost for insulating a traditional attic with air sealing, baffles, and blown-in cellulose ranges from $5,000 to $8,000.

Factors Impacting Cost:

• Square Footage: The size of your attic is a major factor. Larger attics will naturally cost more to insulate.
• Old Insulation Removal: If we need to remove old insulation before adding new material, this will add to the cost. This step is necessary in about 90% of jobs.
• Mold or Vermiculite: The presence of mold or vermiculite (a hazardous material that needs special handling) can significantly increase costs. Mold remediation or vermiculite removal can double or even triple the price.

Spray Foam Insulation on Attic Slopes

Cost Range:

For closed-cell spray foam insulation on attic slopes, expect to pay between $6,000 and $10,000.

Factors Impacting Cost:

• Square Footage: As with traditional insulation, the larger the area, the higher the cost.
• Drywall: If you want to add drywall  after insulating the slopes of your attic, the cost will go up.

Definitely! We have robust rebates and tax credits for adding insulation. We work with utilities and programs almost everyday, so we can help you take advantage of every dollar you deserve.

Start by perusing our resource page for rebates and tax credits for homeowners in SE Michigan, and if you have questions, give us a call at (248) 291-7815.