Attic Retrofit

with E:zero spray foam insulation

Many older homes have no insulation, or old insulation which is failing. Most often, the attic is the easiest area of the house for a retrofit spray foam application. Attic insulation offers the most return on investment, since typical homes lose upwards of 40% of their energy through the roof. In existing homes with vented attics, we recommend removing old insulation such as fiberglass or cellulose from the floor of the attic, and spraying the entire surface area with E:zero spray foam insulation. The biggest benefit is the complete elimination of energy-robbing air leaks through the entire roof assembly. In this scenario, no modification of the attic ventilation would be required. We recommend application of approximately 5” (12 cm) of E:500 open-cell foam as a very cost- effective solution. This delivers about 20 R-value with a true minimization of ACH, provided there is good access to the entire floor in the attic. The good news: most attic insulations can be done in one day, with minimal disruption of the people living in the house.

This photo shows an attic which was retrofitted from wall to wall for several reasons, the main one being the severe allergic reaction of the family’s children to the previously-installed fiberglass. This family hired an environmentalist to analyze their house for problems leading to the chronic conditions. Among other recommendations, the diagnosis included the removal of all fiberglass insulation from the structure. Another good reason for foam insulation: since it’s located in southern California, this attic absorbed a lot of heat, which led to high energy consumption. End result: improved health, smaller energy bills, and a reduced impact on the environment!