High temperatures linger for over half the year in Florida. This means keeping your house cool and comfortable is a priority. You’ve probably tried running ceiling fans and closing the blinds to reduce your air conditioner’s workload.
While these methods are effective, have you considered boosting your attic insulation? This simple upgrade keeps your home cool when outdoor temperatures and humidity levels skyrocket.
Let’s explore the effectiveness of attic insulation, what the installation process entails and why Installed Building Products of Tampa should be your go-to choice for attic insulation services in the Tampa area.
Insulation as a Thermal Barrier
You’re probably familiar with the basic idea of insulation — it keeps your home warm in the winter and cool in the summer, just like a thermos keeps soup hot and a cooler keeps food cold.
But how exactly does it work? The key is to reduce heat transfer, which occurs in three distinct ways:
- Conduction: Think of how a metal spoon heats up when you stir a hot liquid. Heat travels through the metal because metal conducts heat. In the context of your home, this is how the sun’s heat infiltrates your home and warms the interior.
- Convection: Remember those old radiators that work by warming the air around them? This is an example of heat traveling through the air via convection. Many insulation materials contain air pockets, which help prevent convective heat transfer and maintain a consistent temperature.
- Radiation: Picture sitting near a fireplace. You feel warm because of the heat emanating directly from the source. This is what radiant heat transfer feels like.
Your attic is vulnerable to all three forms of heat transfer. The space is directly under the roof, where heat from the sun radiates inside. Then, heat transfers through the attic floor into your living space via conduction and convection.
Insulation acts as a thermal barrier to mitigate these effects and dramatically improve your home’s energy efficiency. Proper attic insulation removes some of the workload from your air conditioner, saving you money without sacrificing comfort.
Installing Attic Insulation
Insulating your attic is an investment that requires some planning. The first step is to determine if you need to remove old or damaged insulation. If the insulation is moldy or fire damaged, or an asbestos test comes back positive, insulation removal is best.
However, if the insulation is in good condition — there simply isn’t enough — adding new material directly on top as an insulation retrofit may be more appropriate.
Once you sort that out, it’s time to choose the right insulation for your needs. Here are four types of insulation best suited for Florida attics:
- Spray foam insulation offers thorough coverage in oddly shaped spaces and is incredibly effective at stopping heat transfer into your home.
- Fiberglass insulation is available in batt and blown-in forms, both of which offer good thermal control.
- Rockwool insulation is made of stone and recycled slag spun into tiny, temperature-resistant fibers that provide thermal and acoustic benefits.
- Radiant barrier insulation is installed under the attic roof to help your home reflect rather than absorb the sun’s heat.
Insulate Your Tampa Attic
If you’re interested in boosting attic insulation, consider IBP of Tampa for the job. We’re part of the Installed Building Products Family of Companies, which has over 135 locations nationwide.
We also bring over 40 years of combined experience to every job, and our commitment to quality products and installation is unmatched. Trust us to deliver insulation services on time, within budget and beyond your expectations.
Ready to enjoy a cooler home this summer? Let IBP of Tampa handle it. Call (813) 280-5007(813) 280-5007 today to schedule attic insulation installation in Tampa, FL.
