Attic Insulation Top-Up
You Have Insulation. It's Just Not Enough Anymore.
Most attics in the Edmonton area aren't empty — they have a layer that was reasonable when the house was built and has been settling, getting walked on and getting disturbed ever since. A top-up adds blown insulation over the existing layer to bring the whole attic to a proper, even depth. It is usually the most cost-effective energy upgrade an older house can get, as long as the existing material is sound and the leaks underneath it get sealed first.
When a Top-Up Makes Sense — and When It Doesn't
A top-up is the right call when the existing insulation is dry and in reasonable shape. It's the wrong call when blowing more on top would bury a problem:
- Good candidate: dry, clean insulation that’s simply thin or settled
- Good candidate: uneven coverage — deep in the middle, thin at the eaves
- Not yet: wet or mouldy insulation, or frost staining on the roof deck — fix the moisture first
- Not yet: rodent nests or droppings — that material should come out
- Not yet: vermiculite that hasn’t been tested
- Not yet: fans venting into the attic or blocked soffits — fix those first
How a Top-Up Works
Check What’s There
We measure the existing depth in several spots, check its condition, and look for leaks, moisture and anything that rules out a straight top-up.
Seal the Big Leaks
Before adding depth, we pull back insulation where needed to seal the major air leaks — top plates, chases, penetrations, and the hatch.
Baffle the Soffits
Adding depth at the eaves can choke the soffit vents. Baffles keep the air path open.
Blow to Target Depth
Blown over the existing layer to the depth on your quote, evenly, with depth markers set across the attic.
What to Expect After
Why Choose Homestead Insulation
Frequently Asked Questions
Get a Straight Answer About Your Insulation
Tell us what you're noticing — cold rooms, ice dams, frost in the attic, cold floors. We'll tell you what's actually going on.