The residential insulation map recommended by Energy Star shows that most of Florida is within Zone 2.This zone has a recommended R value of 30 to 60 for an uninsulated attic, from R25 to R38 for an existing insulated attic, and from R13 to R19 for the floor. ENERGYSTAR recommends an R value of R-38 for most homes. This translates to approximately 12 inches of insulation. The blown fiberglass installed in the attic has an R value of 2.2 per inch, so 12 inches would give it an R value of 26.4 in your project of attic installation.
If you don't have enough, use a measuring tape to measure the depth of insulation in your attic. If you're not sure what type of insulation already exists in your home, take a sample to an insulation expert. In addition, the overall R value of a wall or roof will be somewhat different from the R value of the insulation itself, since part of the heat flows around the insulation through the uprights and beams of wooden or steel frame buildings (thermal bridges). In addition, for businesses and consumers concerned about false advertising, inadequate installation, and other insulation-related considerations, there is a Federal Trade Commission rule designed to protect them (Title 16, Business Practices, Part 460, Labeling and Advertising of Home Insulation).Before installation, ensure that the roof or walls can withstand any additional weight caused by the additional insulation.
If you are installing insulation in an attic in Tampa, it should have a higher R value than insulation on a wall, since heat rises naturally and usually escapes through the attic. The effectiveness of an insulated wall or ceiling also depends on how and where the insulation is installed. This resistance, or R value, refers to the performance of the insulation by measuring the resistance to the heat flowing through the insulation over time. It's very important to understand that the way the insulation is installed is almost as important as the R value.
Attic insulation is critical because it passes more heat per square foot through the roof than any other structure in a house. For more information on insulation materials, if applicable, the installation method and advantages, see Types of insulation. If you are going to build a new house, you can consider installing insulation on the underside of the roof cover and sealing the attic space by creating an “attic without ventilation”. You can measure the thickness of the attic insulation with a ruler and multiply the number of inches by the R value of that particular insulation to get an insulation rating.
Once you've determined the area where the insulation will be located, analyze the different options and types of insulation. The choice of insulation depends on the space you have to insulate it, the apparent density of the materials (weight per volume) so that the roofs don't sag with the additional weight, how easy it is to access the space, how much money you can spend, how easy it would be to replace the insulation if you had a roof or wall leak, and whether you are building a new house or improving an existing one.
