Blocking Heat from Your Ceilings

A ceiling insulation is one of the most cost effective energy efficiency measures. Not everybody knows the importance of the ceiling insulation in the part of their houses. Effective ceiling insulation is the best barrier against the summer heat and the winter cold. A poor ceiling insulation allows substances (heat or cold) to escape outside through those tiny gaps and cracks that can appear in the long run. This can be taken care of with proper insulation added which is however only one of the potential benefits of ceiling insulation.

These are the common types of ceiling insulation:

Bulk insulation

Bulk ceiling insulation comes in two types:

Segments, which fit between the joists above your ceiling.

Blankets that are designed to be rolled out across the top of the ceiling and the joists.

Blankets

Blanket insulation consists of flexible fibers, most commonly fiberglass. Blanket insulation that covers ceiling joists prevents extra heat loss through the timber joists. When you’re topping up existing insulation, it can be easier to install blanket insulation than segments because you can just roll it over the top of what’s there already. Insulation that covers ceiling joists can make it harder for a person to move around the ceiling space though. Blanket installation usually costs less than other types of insulation.

Segments

If you install segments between joists, you need to put in higher R-value insulation to make up for the heat that gets lost through the timber

Loose-fill insulation

Loose-fill insulation is blown onto the ceiling. Loose fills are most commonly sold in bags and are blown into building cavities using special equipment. It can be an option if there’s not enough space in your roof to move around and install bulk insulation. Otherwise we recommend using bulk insulation (blankets or segments). Its safety, effectiveness and durability depend highly on the quality of the material used as well as the installer's equipment and experience. As it can settle or move around over time, the insulation can get into contact with the roof or roof underlay and cause moisture problems.

Proper ventilation in the attic is another factor to a good insulation job. It lets your attic breathe, evaporating moisture in the winter and keeping it cooler in summer. If you install a vapor barrier, you need one square foot of free vent area for every 300 square feet of attic floor area. Without a vapor barrier, you need twice as much ventilation. Vents should be located on opposite ends of the attic, with some near the top and others near the bottom to allow for good cross-ventilation. Whenever you install a ceiling insulation, don’t forget to consider the R values. The R value is a measure of a material's resistance to heat flow (thermal resistance). The higher the R value, the greater the resistance to heat transfer, the greater the insulating effect and the greater the energy savings. Different insulation products with the same R value will provide similar insulation performance, regardless of thickness or the type of material. Complete and proper ceiling coverage is essential to the performance of ceiling insulation.