Few places ask more of a house than the Red River country of North Texas. In summer, Wichita Falls bakes under long stretches of triple digit heat with hardly a cloud in the sky. In winter, a blue norther can roar in behind a wall of wind and drop the temperature fast enough that you feel it through the walls. Your insulation has to handle both.
Many insulation guides are written for one season. This one is written for homes in Wichita County and the surrounding area, where the same attic, walls and floors have to keep heat out for months and then keep heat in.
Heat always moves toward cold
Insulation does not cool or heat anything. It slows heat on its way from the warm side to the cool side. In July, the warm side is outdoors and your attic, so heat flows down into the house. In January, the warm side is your living room, so heat flows up and out. A well insulated home slows that flow in both directions, which is why the same upgrade can lower cooling bills in summer and heating bills in winter.
That two way benefit is the main reason attic insulation tends to be the first project we recommend here. It is the surface that takes the worst sun in summer and loses the most rising heat in winter.
What summer does to your home
- The attic overheats. Sun on the roof can push attic temperatures far above the outdoor reading. Thin insulation lets that heat soak through the ceiling.
- Ducts work against you. Many local homes have ductwork in the attic. Cold air traveling through a scorching attic picks up heat before it ever reaches a vent.
- West walls cook. Afternoon sun hammers the west side of the house, and uninsulated or poorly insulated walls let it in.
For the summer side, the main tools are deeper attic insulation, a radiant barrier where ducts run through the attic, and sealed, well insulated ductwork.
What winter does to your home
- Wind finds every gap. A hard north wind pushes cold air through cracks around outlets, baseboards, windows and plumbing. You feel it as drafts.
- Floors get cold. Homes on pier and beam foundations, which are common in older parts of town and on rural properties, can lose a lot of heat through an uninsulated floor.
- Heat rises and leaves. Warm air collects at the ceiling and escapes through a thin attic layer and any open bypasses into the attic.
For the winter side, the priorities are air sealing, floor insulation where it applies, and enough attic depth to keep heat from drifting out the top.
One plan that covers both seasons
The good news is that the right upgrades help year round. A sensible order for most homes:
- Seal the big leaks. The U.S. Department of Energy advises sealing air leaks before insulating. That one step helps against both summer heat and winter wind.
- Bring the attic up to target. For climate zone 3, ENERGY STAR lists R-49 for an uninsulated attic, or adding R-38 when 3 to 4 inches already exist. Our post on how much attic insulation a Wichita Falls home needs explains how to measure yours.
- Address the floor if you have pier and beam. ENERGY STAR lists R-19 for floors in zone 3. Properly supported batt insulation between the floor joists is a common way to get there.
- Add a radiant barrier when ducts are in the attic. The Department of Energy says radiant barriers work best in hot climates, especially with cooling ducts overhead.
- Consider walls during a remodel. When walls are open, it is the easiest time to add batts or spray foam.
Picking the right material
No single product is best for every house. Blown in insulation is a cost effective way to add depth across an open attic floor. Spray foam insulates and air seals in one step, which makes it a strong choice in drafty spots, rim joists and some attic designs. Batts fit well in open walls and between floor joists. If you are weighing the two most common options, read our comparison of spray foam vs fiberglass.
Homes that change hands often
With Sheppard Air Force Base nearby, many homes around Wichita Falls and Burkburnett are rentals or are bought and sold as military families move. If you own one of those houses, insulation upgrades can make it easier to keep tenants comfortable through both seasons. If you just bought one, it is worth checking the attic before your first summer.
Bottom line
- Insulation slows heat in both directions, so one upgrade works in summer and winter.
- Seal air leaks first. Wind makes leaks worse here.
- Bring the attic to R-49, or add R-38 over existing insulation.
- Insulate pier and beam floors to R-19.
- Ducts in the attic? A radiant barrier can help with summer heat.
Want to know what drives the price of these upgrades? See our insulation cost guide. We work across Wichita Falls, Burkburnett, Iowa Park, Electra, Henrietta and Holliday.
Ready for a home that stays comfortable in August and in January? Request a free inspection and we will look at your attic, floors and leaks and recommend a plan for both seasons.