Creating Energy Efficient Attics

When the term attics come to mind it is often in distaste. Most people consider them to be storage areas or those creepy places in horror movies. This isn’t so. They are normally stuffy and hot or freezing because they have not been insulated as part of the overall house. This is because they are not considered regular living space. Did you know that the extreme heat and cold can be bad for the items stored there? It can also be bad for your heating or cooling bill. Although heat rises up into attics, it is also often stuck there. This warms your ceiling in your living area and therefore makes the air conditioner work harder which affects your wallet.
It’s best to be proactive in this situation. Creating energy efficient attics is a matter of a few simple steps that involve spraying on a barrier sealant, adding insulation, and maintaining proper ventilation. The hardest of these steps will possibly be creating the right ventilation. That’s all depends upon the current system or the lack thereof.
A barrier coating is applied to attics in spray form. This is placed on the walls and ceilings of the room in order to deflect or block the heat from coming into the room or space. This coating is normally in paint form. It can be applied with an airless paint sprayer. It can also be rolled or brushed on.
Insulation is used to keep the temperature regulated in attics. It helps to keep things warm during winter months and cool during summer months. It comes in flexible roll-out sheets and in foam that you can spray between the outer wall and the sheetrock or drywall. You don’t need interior walls to install insulation. A lot of attics have it already on the floor area. They just don’t have it on the walls. If you don’t have a finished attic then it is best to use blanket type insulation.
Ventilation systems are designed to allow moisture and heat escape attics. This will help regulate temperatures and prevent damage to the wood.
As with any home improvement project, don’t guess or estimate what the required materials will be. Take appropriate measurements and apply them to the job at hand. When working on attic space remember to follow a few precautions. Before starting the project, clear the area of all items that are being stored. If there is no floor, only joists then place plywood or strong boards across them to support your weight and take away the risk of falling. Make sure that there is adequate lighting whether it is natural or you have to bring in a light.
These steps can not only create lower heating and cooling bills, they can help to make attics into living space and therefore increase the price of your home. Think of it as an inexpensive way to put an addition on your home. This doesn’t have to take nearly as long and you don’t have to put up with holes in your house, though.…