The best type of attic insulation for Florida's hot and humid climate is spray foam insulation. Closed-cell aerosol foam has an impressive R value in the range of six to seven per inch, making it an ideal choice for homes in the Sunshine State. Other suitable types of insulation for attics in Florida are blown fiberglass, blown cellulose, and fiberglass foam. ENERGYSTAR recommends an R value of R-38 for most homes, which translates to approximately 12 inches of insulation.
We recommend blown foam roof insulation as it is what we use in most homes in Florida. It comes with a variety of benefits that make it perfect for our climate. Although the best type of insulation for the attic depends largely on personal preferences and budget, the effectiveness of aerosol foam insulation cannot be ruled out, especially in a hot and humid state such as Florida. Each kraft coated R-30 insulation bag covers approximately 58.67 square feet, ensuring ample coverage for your insulation project.
If you are designing a new home with an unventilated attic, the air permeability of the insulation may dictate condensation control requirements, such as those set out in the Florida Building Code. If you don't have enough, use a measuring tape to measure the depth of insulation in your attic. Its R value is higher than that of open-cell aerosol foam and other insulating materials, making closed-cell aerosol foam one of the most reliable insulators on the market. However, in most areas of Florida, it is rarely, if ever, cost-effective to add insulation to the walls of an existing home. If you're a resident of Florida, you probably know the role that proper attic insulation plays in keeping your home warm during the winter and cool during the summer. The insulation has a fairly recommended R value of R-2.5 per inch and is relatively inexpensive compared to aerosol foam insulation.
Because of Florida's warm, humid environment, the best attic insulation should be durable and, ideally, completely seal the attic to prevent warm air from entering. Before installation, ensure that the roof or walls can withstand any additional weight caused by the additional insulation. It usually consists of a reflective material, such as aluminum foil, that is installed under the roof cover or inside the attic space. In addition, the overall R value of a wall or roof will be somewhat different from the R value of the insulation itself because part of the heat flows around the insulation through the uprights and beams of wooden or steel frame buildings (thermal bridge). And while aerosol foam is without a doubt one of the best insulation products available on the market today, its high cost makes it less recommended for homeowners who want to insulate their attics on a tight budget. The choice of insulation depends on several factors such as space available to insulate it, apparent density of materials (weight per volume) so that roofs don't sag with additional weight, how easy it is to access space, how much money can be spent on it, how easy it would be to replace insulation if there was a roof or wall leak and whether you are building a new house or improving an existing one.
This aerosol-based roof insulation aims to reduce outside noise by 60% and your utility bills by up to 20%, which is a great help when you're a homeowner in Florida.
