What is the Recommended R-Value for an Attic in Florida?

Learn about recommended R-values for attic insulation in Florida's hot and humid climate. Find out which types of insulation are best suited for Florida's climate.

What is the Recommended R-Value for an Attic in Florida?

Current home construction best practices generally indicate an R-30 to R-38 for attic insulation. The Florida Building Code identifies two distinct “climate zones”, and the best type of attic insulation for Florida's hot, humid climate is spray foam. Closed-cell spray foam has an impressive R-value in the range of six to seven per inch. Other types of attic insulation suitable for Florida include blown fiberglass, blown cellulose, and fiberglass blocks.

Installing the right type of attic insulation is crucial, especially for homeowners who live in hot, humid climates like Florida. Blown fiberglass is a type of loose-filled insulation that is efficient when used to insulate attics in hot, humid climates such as Florida. And while spray foam is undoubtedly the best insulating product, its high cost makes it less attractive to homeowners looking to insulate their attics on a budget. When properly installed by certified experts, spray foam insulation fills every space in the attic, making it an effective air barrier.

Blown fiberglass installed in the attic has an R-value of 2.2 per inch, so 12 inches would give you an R-value of 26.4 in your attic installation project. Although not as dense as its closed counterpart, open-cell insulation is still an excellent insulator for attics. If you're installing attic insulation in Tampa, you'll need a higher R-value than wall insulation, as heat rises naturally and usually escapes through the attic. If you're a Florida resident, you probably know the role proper attic insulation plays in keeping your home warm during the winter and cool during the summer. Insulation has a highly recommended R-value of 2.5 reais per inch and is relatively inexpensive compared to spray foam insulation. When it comes to spray foam insulation, it's highly recommended to outsource experienced professionals who know the ins and outs of attic insulation.

When you know that some insulators resist heat flow better than others, it can be tempting to buy the insulation with the highest R-value and call it a day. Its R-value is higher than that of open-cell spray foam and other insulating materials, making closed-cell spray foam one of the most reliable insulators on the market. You don't need to have experience insulating attics or walls to assemble your batch of fiberglass blocks. Because of Florida's hot and humid environment, the best attic insulation must be durable and, ideally, completely seal the attic to prevent warm air from entering. While the best type of attic insulation depends largely on personal preference and budget, the effectiveness of spray foam insulation cannot be ruled out, especially in a hot and humid state like Florida.