A common question often asked by readers is about the types of attic insulation. While the focus will be on the types of attic insulation, the same forms of insulation are just as suitable for roof, floor and walls as well. And even though there are many different kinds, there are only three major types of insulation that matter when it comes to insulating an attic. So we’ll be analyzing them alone in this report.

Whenever you consider a form of insulation, there are several questions that crop up. Is this the best form of attic insulation? Can I find the right person to install it for me (or can I do it myself)? Will it fit my budget and serve my needs? Each of them will be dealt with for the three common types of attic insulation.

Batt Insulation for attics comes in big chunks of interwoven fiber. When they stick to each other and get entangled, these fibers create effective insulation. Batt insulation is made of fiberglass or cotton. Both are almost identical in terms of insulating efficiency.

Batt insulation has one major drawback despite providing reasonable insulation. It does not seal off all the spaces well. Gaps and nooks in the attic may not be correctly filled up with batt insulation because it doesn’t easily get deployed beneath ceiling joists and in nooks and corners. As a result, these spaces remain uninsulated and are potential heat leaks that result in loss of heat in winter and seepage of heat into air conditioned living areas during summer. Batt insulation is therefore relatively inefficient in this regard.

The primary reason for this is the difficulty in installing batt insulation to fit into every niche and corner of the attic. Invariably there are spaces beneath and in between ceiling joists which are unsealed when batt isn’t cut properly. Insulating the spaces around wires, exhaust fans and recessed lighting is also difficult.

The next type of insulation is blown insulation for attics. This is another popular type of attic insulation. Blown insulation is made of smaller pieces of batts. It is installed by the process of blowing in the insulating material with a fire-hose type of device. A insulation machine outside mixes up the chunks. The air is generated under pressure to blow the material into the attic.

Blown attic insulation made of cellulose or fiberglass provides very good insulating capacity and both have comparable R values when installed at depths of 3 inches or above. Cellulose is made from recycled newspaper and is a better green solution. Fiberglass is derived from sand. Both are more effective than batt insulation.

Blown in insulation is one of the best types of attic insulation because it fills the attic nearly completely. You would hardly be looking down into the ceiling drywall. The blown in insulation offers a great and full insulation which reduces heat loss and keeps the energy costs of your building in check.

If you have the ability to build a house from the ground up, it is like an experience that nothing else will match. As long as you know how to build a house, you can make a true statement about yourself that is expressed for all to see. The secret is to select the right components that will reflect this image and also allow you to get the most for your money.

There is no better place than the roof to start with and you have plenty of materials to choose from. A traditional choice of wood shingles will last you for about 25 years or so. However, metal roofing is extremely popular right now and also offers many benefits that other styles of roofing cannot even come close to.

The actual material that is used on the outside of the home is also very important. If you go with something like brick, you are going to have a sound structure, but it may not be as aesthetically pleasing as you want it to be. Vinyl siding is very durable and can present you with a lot of options in both the color and the design of your home.

Other exterior items like gutters, driveways, decks and patios have varying life spans. Gutters should not need replacement for 25- 30 years. Brick and concrete patios also have similar life spans. Wood decks, on the other hand, are generally only usable for 15-20 years. All of these should be considered when deciding how to build a house.

Once you come inside you can really start to add your personal touch. The flooring is a great place to start and hardwood floors are currently one of the hottest things in home decorating. Isn’t it funny how life comes full circle? 15-20 years ago everyone wanted to cover up their floors and now everyone wants them to be shiny and looking like they day they were first put down.

There are literally thousands of choices of how to build a house. One of the most enjoyable aspects is selecting those materials that reflect your personal style. Make use of the many resources online to help you select your best choices for quality and long-life.