We've never said it's an exciting home improvement project.

And we've never said it's the type of project you'll take pictures of when it's finished and post on social media sites.

But we have said attic insulation is one of the most cost-effective improvements you can make, with the potential to save you as much as 15 percent on your energy bills.

Now, as it turns out, we at First Quality Roofing & Insulation may have understated the true value of attic insulation now that Remodeling magazine's 2017 “Cost. vs. Value Report” places attic insulation at the top of the list. And, in a finding that seemed to surprise even its editors, the report found the value of attic insulation even exceeds the cost of the installation.

We don't say it often, but we think this news is worth shouting from Las Vegas rooftops.

Unbiased source is on the side of consumers

2017 marks the 30th year Remodeling magazine has published the report. It is of particular use to contractors, though savvy homeowners rely on this authoritative source, too. Throughout the years, the editors' goal has remained constant:

• “To give you and your customers an unbiased, third-party report on how much it really costs for a professional to do a typical remodeling project, as well as how much a real estate pro believes that project will increase a home’s value if it’s sold within a year of when the work was completed."

Findings leap off the page

For the 2017 report, the magazine collected information on 29 home improvement projects in 99 urban and suburban markets across the country.

Remember that the numbers are averages across these markets, but the installation of fiberglass attic insulation was pegged at a cost of $1,343 with a resale value of $1,446. This translates to a cost-to-value percentage of 107 percent – and the editors of Remodeling were quick to give attic insulation its due.

“Putting loose-fill is the only project that returns a higher value than its cost,” they said.

In case you're curious, rounding out the top five projects were:

• Installing a backup power generator

• Installing a backyard patio

• Finishing a basement remodel

• Finishing a bathroom addition

These projects rated respectable cost-to-value percentages, or from 53.9 to 70 percent. But these percentages didn't come close to registering the value of attic insulation.

Add up the benefits of attic insulation

The report corroborates what First Quality Roofing & Insulation has steadfastly maintained all along: attic insulation is one of the very best investments you can make in your home.

It keeps your home cool in the summer by keeping the cool, conditioned air you're paying for inside while blocking hot outdoor air from disturbing that equilibrium. Insulation accomplishes even more by:

• Providing humidity control

• Bolstering interior comfort

• Blocking rodents, pests and insects from entering your home

• Blunting dirt, dust, pollen and other outdoor contaminants

• Softening outdoor noises

Many Las Vegas homes are woefully lacking insulation. If you think your home might be one of them, take a simple quiz offered by First Quality. Then call us for a consultation – knowing that it will be one of the most prudent investments you'll ever make.