If you want to keep your Austin home or business comfortable without paying excessive heating and cooling bills, you need to install insulation. The type of insulation you choose and how much you use depend on where you live, your budget and certain characteristics of your home, including what type of ceiling you have.
While you should make your final decision with the help of an insulation expert, here’s a look at the best insulation for sloped and flat ceilings.
Best Insulation for Sloped Ceilings
Sloped or cathedral ceilings are often found in great rooms. The ceiling is vaulted at an angle, and there’s no attic space above the ceiling. According to Green Building Advisor, the best way to insulate the ceiling depends on whether you have a ventilated or unvented roof assembly.
Insulating Ventilated Sloped Ceilings
To achieve adequate insulation levels and still have room to ventilate the roof assembly, you may need to put in additional framing to deepen the rafter bays. This leaves ample space to install 12 inches of fiberglass batts, achieving well over the R-30 recommendation for insulating homes in the Austin, Texas area.
Another option is to put in one or two layers of rigid foam insulation to boost the R-value before laying down 8 to 10 inches of fiberglass batts.
Insulating Unvented Sloped Ceilings
Here are your top insulation choices for unvented sloped ceilings:
- Install 7 inches of spray foam on the underside of the roof sheathing and leave the rest of the rafter cavity open.
- Install 4 inches of spray foam on the underside of the roof sheathing and fill the rest of the cavity with fiberglass batts.
- Install rigid foam above the roof sheathing and fiberglass batts between the rafters.
Best Insulation for Flat Ceilings
If your home or business has a flat ceiling with no attic space, it’s critical to air seal any ceiling penetrations before installing insulation. Also, plan to ventilate the space with intake vents and cupolas. Then, install 12 to 16 inches of blown-in fiberglass or cellulose, leaving at least 6 inches between the insulation and the roof sheathing for ventilation purposes.
Install Ceiling Insulation in Austin, TX
Residents and business owners in the Austin area can count on Hinkle Insulation & Drywall for help selecting and installing the right ceiling insulation. Our experienced team is here to add efficiency, comfort, and value to your home or commercial property. Contact us today to get your project started!
