You may know from experience: before you begin a home improvement project, almost nothing beats a few heads-up tips.
If the next project on your horizon is insulating your attic, then let the most experienced Las Vegas attic insulation installation company, First Quality Roofing & Insulation, give you a few heads-up tips. They also can provide what you might call five “heads-down”tips” since you'll want to be sure to keep your head and eyes moving in both directions as you embark on this important energy-saving project.
Mistake No. 1: Failing to seal air leaks first. Let the U.S. Department of Energy show you how to find and seal air leaks in your home. Failing to seal leaks first would be like buying a new set of rugged tires but then failing to inflate them properly; you will defeat your best efforts to achieve real energy efficiency.
Mistake No. 2: Failing to invest in premium insulation products. The most common types of insulation include rolls and fiberglass batts, loose-fill, rigid foam and foam-in-place insulation, though you do not have to install the same type you have in your attic now. Regardless of which product you choose, skimping on quality will show up in no time – by either failing to keep your home's temperature modulated or by forcing you to replace the insulation sooner than necessary, and maybe both. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency forecasts that adding attic insulation can lower utility bills by an average of 15 percent, but the forecast is predicated on using superior products. The most conscientious Las Vegas attic insulation installation team knows for certain: cheap insulation products do not equate to a good value.
Mistake No. 3: Covering lights and vents. Covering lights can pose a serious fire hazard, which is why you should leave at least 4 inches between them and the insulation. While covering vents isn't life-threatening, it creates an obstruction that could lead to an outbreak of mold and mildew.
Mistake No. 4: Using inadequate fiberglass batts. Yes, batts are relatively simple to install; this is why homeowners tend to love this form of DIY attic insulation. But the batts must be measured and cut to size properly; they shouldn't come up short. Nor should they be bunched up or crowded, which can happen if they are cut too large. In either case, the batts will fail to insulate properly.
Mistake No. 5: Failing to fill gaps. This is where the most skilled Las Vegas attic insulation company knows that things can get tricky. While builders often leave small gaps around electrical lines and pipe fittings, gaps less than 1 inch wide can undercut your insulation efforts. So use a ruler to measure these gaps and, once you find them, fill them with insulation so that you achieve the temperature comfort and energy savings you deserve.
You can avoid these pitfalls by placing this crucial home improvement project in the hands of the most skilled Las Vegas attic insulation installation company. By following the lead of so many other Las Vegas homeowners and calling First Quality for a consultation, it could be the very best heads-up tip of all.
If you think you may benefit by adding insulation to your attic, take our 7-question quiz!
