Tricks and tips

Up top is what counts

When I was a child, my mother always said, “Wear a hat in winter because you lose all your heat through your head!” I hate hats, but she was right - warm air escapes up, even in your home. Hydro-Québec estimates that by improving your roof’s insulation efficiency you can save up to 30% of your heating and cooling costs. If you have a flat roof that you can’t get at from the inside, adding insulation should be done by a contractor, but if you have an accessible attic, you can do the work yourself.

Check your insulation

If you can get into your roof, look for telltale signs of problems like moisture or discoloration in the existing insulation. This can tell you where hot air is escaping up. In the winter, check the attic when it is extra cold outside to see if there is more than a little frost. Too much frost could mean a ventilation problem.

Batts and blankets versus loose-fill

Batt and blanket insulation is perfect if your attic is uniform and there aren’t many obstructions above the joists. If there are a lot of obstructions, then you need to use pour on loose-fill to complete the coverage and fill the spaces. Remember, you want to have a blanket of insulation above the joists and around all obstructions.

If your space is very irregular, you might just want to use loose-fill. Whatever you use, verify the R value for the product and use appropriate thickness to reach a value of R-40.

Batt insulation looks like a roll of cotton wool and is sold in widths of 16 or 24 inches. Measure the space between your joists and try to buy the exact size. If you can’t you have to cut them to fit, or use loose-fill instead. Fit the batts between the joists, and fill any spaces with pieces of batt. A second layer can run crossways over the first, or cover with blankets. Make sure you don’t compromise the roof’s ventilation. Leave at least 1 1|2 to 2 inches of space between the top of the insulation and the underside of the roof.

Loose-fill insulation can be poured on by hand, but you have to make sure to check the thickness constantly to have the correct R value.

Insulating an attic is a tough job and represents an investment in your home. Whether you do it yourself or not, you can get help and even financial aid through EnerGuide for Home’s Program. If you’re not sure you need more insulation, you can have an EnerGuide technician come to your home and do a thorough, professional check. To know more about insulation, please consult the web site of the Agence de l’Efficacité Énergétique.

Myke Wilder
Writer and handyman