Is There Such a Thing As Too Much Insulation?
As with anything, too much of a good thing can be a problem.
With insulation, too much of a good thing is a problem in some cases but at other times there is no such thing.
I will try to explain when and where you can have too much and where you can have all you want and more.
First I will try to explain where too much is not good.
To see why too much is not a good thing we need to understand how insulation works.
Insulation insulates because it has a large surface area to space ratio or it is soft and fluffy.
This makes it difficult for air to penetrate through it and this keeps the temperature differences where they are.
The soft fluffiness does not conduct the temperature easily.
Now if you take the soft fluffy material and compress too much of it into a small space it becomes much more dense and starts to conduct the temperature more easily.
The voids needed to slow the radiant heat is not there.
The product that formerly would stop heat transfer now does not do that.
What this means is that the R-value or resistance factor of insulation is based on it having the best possible space to do its job.
If you take R-30 insulation and force it into the space that is made for R-19, it will no longer be a R-30 product.
In fact it may not even do as well as a R-19 product.
So, make sure that you use the right product for the right space that you have.
Forcing too much into a small space will have a detrimental effect on the product.
Also, in an attic situation, you can also cause harm by filling it too full and shutting off the ventilation of air through the eaves or soffit.
By piling the insulation too high on the sides you can shut down the flow of air that will keep the space cooler in the summer and also allow it to breathe so that you do not get a build up of moisture.
Now, for many situations, more is definitely better.
In the walls of a building you will definitely want to get as much insulation as is practical and can be done without hindering the ability of the insulation to perform its job.
In attics you will also want to get as much as possible.
Attics and ceilings are the biggest losers of radiant heat to the outside or the biggest heat gain area for hot climates.
More insulation in an attic or ceiling is always a good thing provided that it is done in a way that provides adequate ventilation to the space.
Also fiberglass insulation is good as long as it is not compressed down and is left loose so that works properly.
Adding more insulation can be a great thing if you have it done or do it right.
Just make sure that you do not try to overdo it and cause more problems then you are solving.
With insulation, too much of a good thing is a problem in some cases but at other times there is no such thing.
I will try to explain when and where you can have too much and where you can have all you want and more.
First I will try to explain where too much is not good.
To see why too much is not a good thing we need to understand how insulation works.
Insulation insulates because it has a large surface area to space ratio or it is soft and fluffy.
This makes it difficult for air to penetrate through it and this keeps the temperature differences where they are.
The soft fluffiness does not conduct the temperature easily.
Now if you take the soft fluffy material and compress too much of it into a small space it becomes much more dense and starts to conduct the temperature more easily.
The voids needed to slow the radiant heat is not there.
The product that formerly would stop heat transfer now does not do that.
What this means is that the R-value or resistance factor of insulation is based on it having the best possible space to do its job.
If you take R-30 insulation and force it into the space that is made for R-19, it will no longer be a R-30 product.
In fact it may not even do as well as a R-19 product.
So, make sure that you use the right product for the right space that you have.
Forcing too much into a small space will have a detrimental effect on the product.
Also, in an attic situation, you can also cause harm by filling it too full and shutting off the ventilation of air through the eaves or soffit.
By piling the insulation too high on the sides you can shut down the flow of air that will keep the space cooler in the summer and also allow it to breathe so that you do not get a build up of moisture.
Now, for many situations, more is definitely better.
In the walls of a building you will definitely want to get as much insulation as is practical and can be done without hindering the ability of the insulation to perform its job.
In attics you will also want to get as much as possible.
Attics and ceilings are the biggest losers of radiant heat to the outside or the biggest heat gain area for hot climates.
More insulation in an attic or ceiling is always a good thing provided that it is done in a way that provides adequate ventilation to the space.
Also fiberglass insulation is good as long as it is not compressed down and is left loose so that works properly.
Adding more insulation can be a great thing if you have it done or do it right.
Just make sure that you do not try to overdo it and cause more problems then you are solving.