An attic insulated to today’s energy standards with fiberglass insulation minimizes heat escape through the ceilings of your home. If your home was built before 1980, chances are it needs more attic insulation. The amount of insulation your house should have will vary depending on how your house is built, (cathedral and vaulted ceilings), and the R-value desire. R-value is the resistance to heat flow of a material. The higher the R-value, the greater the insulating power. The less heat loss through your roof, the lower the heating and cooling, and you’re less likely to have ice dams.