Joist insulation is used to insulate the roof or attic of a home to resist heat flow and lower energy bills. Various materials can be used, and the effectiveness is measured by the R-value. Air sealing and strut vents can improve energy efficiency.
Joist insulation is a material used to insulate the roof or attic of a home. Heat in a home flows from warmer rooms to cooler areas. In cold weather, warm rooms often lose heat to uninsulated attics and garages. When temperatures rise, heat flows from the rafters or attic inside a home, causing the cooling system to work overtime.
Joist insulation, also called loft insulation, is an easy way to provide resistance to heat flow. Strut insulation also serves as moisture damage control. The better the insulation coverage, the lower the energy bill.
There are many types of home insulation available. Homeowners can choose from a variety of materials to suit the area they wish to insulate. Fiberglass isn’t the only option. Greater energy efficiency can be achieved with insulation made from wool and natural fibers, foam board, concrete and even straw. Some materials, such as foam board, provide high thermal resistance.
Methods of installing strut insulation vary. Some types of insulation, such as roll-up blankets or reflective tape systems, can be easily installed by a homeowner. Other insulation materials require professional installation or equipment, including concrete blocks, structural insulation board (SIP), and rigid fibrous insulation.
The effectiveness of insulation is measured by a number called the R-value. This number measures how well the insulation is able to resist heat. A higher number equals greater efficiency. Adding multiple layers of insulation adds up the R-values of each layer. The more layers, the higher the number and the greater the resistance to heat flow. Many factors are taken into consideration when calculating an R-value, including the insulation material, installation location, and installation method.
Rafter insulation is most energy efficient when both the rafters and the entrance to the slab are insulated. Air sealing the hatch, knee door or attic pocket stairs, as well as the gaps between the frames and the insulation, prevent more air from escaping to the outside. Homeowners can measure air leaks by doing an infrared scan. Typically, old-fashioned fiberglass insulation won’t cover the coldest areas of an attic, such as the gable ends or the perimeters of an attic. Blown insulation, using special equipment, can fill the gaps in such cases.
Strut vents should be installed in attics where the insulation covers the floor up to the eaves. These vents provide a place through which air can move. Strut vents remove warm air during warm months and moisture from condensation during cooler months. Usually, rafter vents are simply bolted to the roof flooring between the rafters and run from the attic ceiling to the floor.
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