Homeowners who are looking to lower their utility bills should take the time to research adding insulation to their homes. Insulation lowers utility bills by keeping the summer heat out of the house while locking in warmth during the winter months. This offers year round savings on both heating and cooling.

Houston attic insulation is a sound home investment that will pay for itself in saved energy bills over the years. The two main types are radiant barrier and blown in. A radiant barrier is a coating that is applied to the ceiling inside the attic that reflects the heat from the sun away from the house and heat during the winter back into the house. Blown in insulation is a fiberglass fill that coats the floor of the ceiling, providing a traditional layer of insulation between the home and the outdoors.

Let's take a look at how both types compare:

Radiant Barrier Insulation

By applying a reflective layer to the ceiling of an attic, a radiant barrier creates an insulating layer. Instead of relying on a thick coating of material, the coating reflects energy like a mirror. This keeps the sun's hot energy out of a home during the summer, but will also keep heat inside a home during the winter. Radiant barrier is known to reduce attic temperature by 30 degrees.

Radiant barrier Houston is applied much like paint. It will allow water vapor to pass through, so it will not trap moisture or promote mold and mildew growth. This technology was originally created by NASA and then used by the military. Now, the consumer industry can benefit from a practical, efficient way to keep a home insulated. The coating will last for at least 15 years and will pay for itself in that time.

Blown In

When most people think of insulation, they think of this common type. By using fiberglass fill to put down a layer in an attic, a home is kept cool through the summer and warm through the winter since the material acts as a physical barrier to the movement of heat. Blowing the material into an attic is a better way to apply insulation as compared to rolling or nailing sheets. Blown in material will not lock in moisture the way rolls will.

Fiberglass is a long lasting material and will provide a protective barrier for about 30 to 40 years. It is also fire retardant, non-corrosive, and pest resistant, making fiberglass an excellent choice for use in an attic. This is traditional insulation material for a reason. It is proven to work.

Both choices for Houston attic insulation will save homeowners money and make their homes more comfortable. A radiant barrier can be applied to the ceiling of a finished attic and no one would ever notice. Blown in fiberglass is the standard in insulation for its long track record. Either way, making a home more energy efficient is a good decision for the family budget.