If your attic just needs a top up for maximum efficiency, we’ll help you there as well. The Purpose of Insulation Facing . We are using the attic for storage with easy access via pull-down stairs. The paper side of faced insulation is flammable and must not be left exposed. With the latest spray machine, the spray foam is blown-in into the space in a compact manner, thus leaving no room for cavities or unwanted space. Therefore, my first step was to turn over all of the insulation in my attic, which had the added benefit of fluffing some of it up, much like shaking a goose-down blanket. (See below for a shopping list and tools. Improve air quality With the passage of time, dust, dirt, mold and other pollutants can accumulate in your home through air leaks as a result of poor insulation. Here is a hot take on insulation I think everyone should know. Let that soak in a minute… We live in a climate that is harsh, to say the least, to our homes roof. My son and I then added additional R-19 in the spaces that did not have any insulation at all. Insulation acts like a sweater to keep everything that’s surrounded by it warm and happy. The roof side has the unfaced side of the insulation next to the roof sheathing. Watch our video How to Hang Drywall for step-by-step instructions. Thus far you will only have installed one layer of batt insulation, above the vapor barrier. The vapor retarder (kraft paper) is facing toward the conditioned side. The higher the R number, the higher the insulating factor typically is, so it's worth checking  . Efficient operation of the heating and cooling unit will result in reduced energy bills. The paper creates a vapor barrier that helps keep the water vapor in the warm, moist, heated indoor air from migrating outward into the wall or other structure. The general rule is to lay the faced side of your insulation against the surface closest to your living space. These rules of thumb apply in every case. The vapor barrier goes down as mentioned by the previous op - that’s the paper part. Specifically made for the thermal upgrade of loft spaces at ceiling level. In an upside down installation, where the paper faces the unheated portion of the home, moisture from the humid inside air can condense and become trapped inside of the insulation during cold winter months. Apr 28, 2019 - A homeowner needs to know which way to face the paper side of her attic insulation. Unfaced means the insulation lacks a vapor retarder (paper or plastic facing). At the perimeter of the attic, lay the insulation up to the roof rafters, but keep it away from plywood roof sheathing. If you have chosen unfaced batting insulation for your rafters, you should staple sheets of plastic over the batting to accomplish a moisture barrier. By boosting your attic insulation from R-11 to R-49, you can save up to $600 per year, which means it will pay for itself in less than 2 years if you go DIY. In Northeastern Ohio, it is recommended that attic insulation have an R-value of 49. Follow these steps to insulate an attic with roll or batt insulation. To make insulating an attic easier, grab a helper and set aside two days: one for attic prep and the second to actually blow the insulation. This will ensure optimum operation of the HVAC unit. Paper side should go down (toward the living space) because the paper side has a vapor barrier that will trap any moisture. I live in Maryland. However, it would probably be on the wrong side for a floor anywhere but climate zone 1 or 2. I intend to replace most of the insulation because of a rodent problem… So what is there, doesn’t really matter. Ask your home inspector if the batts are facing the right direction. If you are installing additional insulation over existing, you can install the paper side up and then cut the paper side to provide an escape for and vapor. IRC R302.10.1 A foil facer often has a flame spread of 25 or less, and is usually allowed to be exposed. We wanted the attic to be somewhat part of our living space i.e. Insulation is rated with an R-value. (Imagine insulating your entire crawl space, only to discover all your insulation is upside down!) The Department of Energy suggests attic insulation should have no less of an R-value of R-30. When using insulation that has paper or plastic batting, that moisture barrier should face outward toward the attic space. When installing batted insulation in the attic which side should the paper be on ... Do not tack down roll or batt insulation, because compacting reduces its effectiveness or R-value. Are they paper-up or paper-down? Insulating the attic can prevent air leakage. We then added a layer of un-faced R-30 on top of the first layer and perpendicular to it. This acts as a vapor retarder, preventing water vapor from passing through. As the kraft paper tabs on the existing insulation are stapled, I inevitably ended up with a … Shop Insulation & Accessories; Shop Caulk; Shop Jobsite Safety; Insulating an Attic With Roll or Batt Insulation. Why is attic insulation important? Loose-fill insulation: This can be added on top of old insulation. Continue laying down the insulation, making sure the batts are pressed tightly together at all edge and end joints. (It’s about 50 degrees in the winter.) there’s some carpets on the floor of the attic with no insulation between the attic floor and main floor. When preparing for renovations of older homes, you will likely encounter old insulation. The costs for attic insulation could vary due to multiple factors. However, the attic is often a tricky space to insulate due to the odd nooks and crannies that attics often contain – especially in the corners where the roof meets the floor. * For walls the face goes on the inside. The house was built in 1967, so I had to pull up the existing insulation in order to air seal. It provides a critical barrier to the elements and temperature changes year-round. The size of the home, the complexity of the architecture, types of insulation materials all come into play during our inspections. To install fiberglass batts over existing insulation, lay the batts perpendicular to the joists so they do not compress the insulation below. Learn how to identify old ceiling insulation. All attics in Florida should be very well insulated. But that is not the only benefit of attic insulation. Attic insulation can effectively solve the problem. By the end of the weekend you’re going to be sore and tired. Always ensure that your installation is as clear and accessible as possible. Attic insulation regulates a large part of the home’s internal temperature. Cellulose insulation is a clumpy, thick, and dense material that will cover up the empty places in your attic to slow down the movement of air in and out of your living space via the ceiling. Not all ten thermal defects exist in every home, but they can. Anonymous: I don’t even know what you mean by perpendicular. We love the Eko loft insulation roll - Eko is a new range of insulation available at B&Q. Inadequate Attic Insulation . There are ten common attic insulation thermal defects that we routinely identify when performing insulation estimates. Rolled insulation is also easier to apply in a DIY sense, since all you have to do is measure it out for the space you want to lay it down on, cut it to those measurements and then lay it down. Increasing the amount of existing insulation in your attic, or adding insulation where none exists, will keep your home cooler in the summer, warmer in the winter, and decrease your overall energy expenditures throughout every season.In many cases, it’s better to contract with a professional to insulate your attic. Write it down. Kraft-faced insulation includes a paper vapor retarder, which helps prevent mold and mildew. It is the attic and walls that need the maximum insulation material. Things to Remember Before Starting. The room side has faced insulation with the paper next to the drywall, (the right way). Subject: adding extra insulation in attic - face up or down? To lay loft roll insulation . The facing on kraft-faced insulation is made of kraft paper with an asphalt coating that makes the paper impermeable to water vapor. However. Tools: Tools & Materials. Blowing attic insulation isn’t hard, but it’s dusty, sweaty work. Cover it with a finishing material such as drywall. If you install it backwards, you'll trap moisture in your insulation and make it less efficient. Kraft-faced insulation should be installed in exterior walls, exterior basement walls, and attic ceilings by pressing the product into the wall cavity with the paper side facing outward, towards the installer. If you don’t have enough, use a measuring tape to measure the depth of the insulation in your attic. Whether you live in a warm-weather state, as I do, or in a cooler northern climate, it's hard to stay comfortable and keep your energy bills in check if you don't have adequate insulation in the attic. This should be printed on the paper face of the insulation. if your attic has a floor, you may not be able to install enough insulation beneath it to attain an R-49 rating; you will be limited to the depth of the cavities between the floor joists. Say, for example, your joists are 2” x 8” boards; the cavity will be about 7.25 inches deep. Asked by ... Slit a cut down one side and place over the pipe. How do you install insulation paper side up or down? Most paper-faced insulation must have the paper in contact with the subfloor or wall finish. Pros and Cons of Cellulose Attic Insulation. Shop All Insulation. Any existing batt or roll insulation in the attic should have the facing against the attic drywall floor or no facing at all. Even if the attic space is unheated, it’s typically warmer than the outside air in winter. Pen and paper – to note how much existing loft floor insulation you currently have, joist sizes and spacing, if needed. 4. Reactions: rogerpa. Attics can be insulated in a number of ways, including blowing in insulation or laying fiberglass batts. Utility knife. * For floors the face goes up. You’ll also need something sturdy to walk/stand on such as a plank or sheet of plywood. This guide to proper attic insulation includes tips on vent areas, right side up, puckers, loose or compressed insulation, animal nests, mold, and more. Depending on the type, it could be dangerous to your health, damaged or simply too old to be as effective as modern insulation. The second step in insulating your attic involves building up the layers of your batt insulation. Just pull up the old thin insulation and replace it with the new. Assuming your attic’s insulation is spread evenly throughout your attic, here’s your rule of thumb: If your insulation is even with or below your attic’s floor joists, you don’t have enough insulation. You’ll need to be able to move around easily and access all required areas. The US Department of energy shares with us this vital statistic that a properly insulated attic can cut down the energy bills anywhere in the range of 10 to 50%. Kraft paper contains a special layer of asphalt adhesive. In fcat, spray foam is denser than Cellulose, as it consists of small granules that settles down perfectly and in an even manner throughout the wall or floor cavity. Next Up In Insulation. Cellulose — recycled, ground-up paper with boric acid added for insect control and fire resistance — offers a better attic insulation option than batts. It can come from any plant-based material such as wood or sisal, but commercial cellulose insulation comes primarily from recycled paper, which is why it is regarded as eco-friendly. For example, when insulating the sub-floor above an unconditioned crawl space, in most climates, you will want the facing to lie against the subfloor. In the winter it keeps the chill-out and during the summer it addresses the cooling needs. Now you are going to want to add a second layer of the batt insulation on top of the first. It will seal the leaks and prevent release of air from the house. Loft floor insulation. Cost-effective way to save energy with This Old House general contractor Tom Silva. I won’t even discuss R-value, because fiberglass batts don’t belong in an attic.

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