As the winter season approaches, many homeowners are looking for ways to reduce their energy bills and keep their homes warm. One of the most effective ways to do this is to install insulation in the attic. But should you do it yourself or hire a professional? Installing insulation in a standard A-shaped attic is something that many homeowners can do on their own. However, if the attic has an irregular shape or is exceptionally airtight, it's best to hire a professional.
Although it may seem like hiring a contractor will cost more than doing the project yourself, this isn't necessarily true in the long run. For example, if you're installing spray foam insulation, there is no option to do it yourself. Additionally, if you hire a professional, you may need to vacate your home for up to 24 hours due to the dangerous compounds that come off during the installation and curing process. Before you make any decisions, you should determine where you need insulation and how much you need to install.
To determine how much insulation you already have, check if your insulating block is labeled with an R value or calculate its R value with a simple formula. You should also inspect areas such as the attic, mezzanines, unfinished attics and basements before making your final decision. If you need to reach a certain height to install the insulation and your ladder is too short, then it's better to hire a professional. Cleaning the attic and installing insulation has many benefits: it keeps you warm, prevents rodents from invading it, and reduces your energy bill.
With enough time and attention to detail, adding insulation to an attic is something that just about anyone can do. Depending on where you want to add insulation and your comfort level at the end of the project, the installation could consist of a weekend DIY project. When deciding whether or not to install attic insulation yourself or hire a professional, consider all of these factors before making your decision. Hiring a contractor may seem like it will cost more than doing it yourself in the short run, but in reality it will save you money in the long run due to their expertise in sealing air leaks and properly installing insulation.
