Attic Insulation & Air Sealing in San Angelo, TX

Attic insulation and air sealing is the job that changes the most San Angelo houses for the money. On a summer afternoon, heat soaks down through the roof into the attic, and from there into the ceilings, the ductwork and the rooms below. At the same time, small gaps in the ceiling let house air leak up and attic air leak in. We fix both: first the leaks, then the depth.

What we seal

The biggest leaks are rarely the obvious ones. We look for open chases where plumbing vents and flues run up through the house, the tops of interior walls (top plates) that were never sealed, gaps around recessed lights and bath fans, wiring holes, and the attic hatch or pull-down stairs, which often have no weatherstrip and no insulation. Duct boots where the supply registers meet the ceiling drywall are another common gap. We seal those with foam, caulk or gaskets as each spot requires.

How deep is deep enough

Tom Green County is classified as Climate Zone 3B. The 2015 International Residential Code energy chapter, which Texas still uses, lists R-38 for ceilings in Zone 3. ENERGY STAR's guidance for existing homes in Zone 3 suggests R-49 if the attic has no insulation and adding R-38 if three to four inches are already there. Many older San Angelo attics hold a few inches of settled fiberglass that is far short of either number, with bare spots where someone walked or worked.

Blown-in or foam

For most attics with an open, walkable floor, sealing the ceiling and then blowing in fiberglass or cellulose is the most cost-effective way to reach R-38 or R-49. It is quick to install and easy to add to later. When the attic has a lot of ductwork, a low roof pitch, or an air handler that would be better inside the conditioned envelope, foam on the roof deck becomes worth pricing. We lay out both and say which we would choose.

Ducts and the attic

Ducts in an attic that runs well above outdoor temperature lose a lot of cooling through leaks and thin insulation. We note disconnected runs, crushed flex duct and gaps at the plenum during the visit. Sealing the visible duct joints is often part of the attic plan, and if the ductwork needs repair or replacement we tell you so you can bring in your HVAC company.

Working in a hot attic

Summer attic work in San Angelo starts early in the day. Crews need safe conditions, and blown-in and foam both go on better when the attic is not at its peak. Spring and fall are the easiest seasons for attic projects, but we work year-round and plan around the forecast.

If your upstairs is hot, your ceilings feel warm to the touch, or your summer bills keep climbing, start with the attic. Get a free estimate