For a simple, open attic floor with easy access, blown-in cellulose is a cost-effective way to add a lot of R-value, as long as the air leaks underneath are sealed first. Spray foam is the stronger choice when you need air sealing built in, when the attic has ductwork or a furnace you want inside the insulated space, or when the space is a cathedral ceiling, knee wall, or bonus room where loose fill won't stay put. Many Iowa attics end up using both: foam to seal, cellulose t

The clearest signs your home is losing heat are rooms that never warm up, drafts you can feel near outlets and baseboards, a furnace that runs almost nonstop, and a heating bill that jumps more than the weather explains. In Iowa, frost that melts unevenly on the roof and icicles along the eaves are two more giveaways. Most of these trace back to air leaks and thin insulation in the attic, rim joists, and walls. October is the right time to look. The furnace is just starting t