What Are Attic-Insulation Rulers Used For?

Types of Attic Insulation

• Insulating materials come in different forms and are used for different areas of the home. They may contain man-made fibers or natural materials. Fiberglass batts and rolls are commonly used in attics. These materials are laid in-between the attic joists. Foam boards are also be used in this manner, as well as for placement inside of walls between the wood framing. Loose-fill insulation -- small pieces of insulating materials blown into cavities of the home construction -- is another choice. Spray-foam material is also used to insulate cavities throughout the home. Sprayed or blown-in insulation has the advantage of being able to fit well in complex areas of construction, as well as around other home construction elements such as electrical boxes or ductwork.

R-Value of Insulation

• R-value is the amount of resistance to heat flow that an insulating material gives to an area where used. The R-value is determined by the type of material, as well as the thickness of the material. For instance, batt fiberglass insulation has an R-value of 3.14, whereas rigid-foam insulation has an R-value of 4 to 6.5, according to the ConservationMart website. Ensuring you have the correct thickness of material for your needs helps save on energy costs. Attic-insulation rulers help homeowners determine if the insulation is at the correct depth.

Settling of Insulation

• Some types of insulation settles after it's installed, leading to reduced heat resistance. Loose-fill insulation can settle up to 20 percent during the first few years after installation, according to writer Benjamin Hardy of the BobVila website. To determine how much your insulation has settled over time, use an attic-insulation ruler. Rulers mark how much insulation has been added to the attic and can indicate how much settling has occurred.

Using Attic-Insulation Rulers

• Install attic-insulation rulers before installing the loose-fill insulating materials. These rulers are marked in inches, and often with the corresponding R-value of the material used. The rulers are placed in several trusses in the attic area. The contractor can then determine whether he has provided the correct amount of insulation for the R-value you desire. The homeowner can periodically check the rulers to determine if and at what rate settling occurs. Attic-insulation rulers are available at home-improvement stores and hardware stores. Also, roofing contractors may provide attic-insulation rulers at the time of installation.