GoldStar Insulation  ·  Florida Insulation Contractors Engineered for Florida. Built for Comfort.

R-value measures resistance to conductive heat flow — higher is better, and values add together when you layer materials. The U.S. Department of Energy recommends R-30 to R-60 for Florida attics, R-13 to R-20 for wood-frame walls, and R-13 for floors over unconditioned space. Most Florida homes built before 2010 have R-11 to R-19 in the attic, which is well short of current recommendations. We measure what you actually have before quoting anything.

For most Florida attics, blown-in fiberglass plus thorough air sealing plus a radiant barrier gives the best comfort per dollar. For homes with ductwork in the attic, a sealed attic using open-cell spray foam at the roof deck usually delivers the biggest measured savings because it brings the ducts inside the conditioned envelope. For metal and coastal buildings, closed-cell foam is the clear choice. There is no single right answer for every house.

Often yes, and it is the most cost-effective path — provided the existing material is dry, uncontaminated and not compressed. Add unfaced material only; a vapor facing sandwiched mid-assembly can trap moisture. If we find rodent contamination, water staining, mold or heavy settling, removal comes first. Building on a compromised base just buries the problem where you cannot see it.

Open-cell foam is light (about half a pound per cubic foot), expands dramatically, runs roughly R-3.7 per inch, and stays vapor-permeable so an assembly can dry inward. Closed-cell foam is dense (about two pounds), rigid, runs R-6.0 to R-7.0 per inch, acts as a vapor retarder, adds structural strength and resists floodwater. Open-cell is typical for attics and interior walls; closed-cell for metal buildings, crawl spaces and coastal exposures.

Look for depth below eight inches, visible joists showing through, uneven or matted coverage, dark staining that indicates air is being filtered through it, a musty odor, rodent droppings or tunneling, or any water staining. On the comfort side: rooms that never cool down, summer bills that climb year over year, and an air conditioner that seems to run constantly all point at the attic. A free inspection settles it quickly.

It depends heavily on material and conditions. Fiberglass batts and loose fill generally perform 20–30 years before settling and contamination degrade them. Cellulose settles somewhat faster. Spray foam and rigid board are effectively permanent, often 80 years or more, because they neither settle nor lose loft. Any insulation that gets wet, is compressed, or hosts rodents should be considered finished regardless of its age.