Over Insulation Attic

To make insulating an attic easier grab a helper and set aside two days.

Over insulation attic.

One for attic prep and the second to actually blow the insulation. R value is a measure of insulation s ability to resist heat traveling through it. Blowing attic insulation isn t hard but it s dusty sweaty work. Supports braces and other obstacles.

The pros charge 1 500 to 2 000 to do a 1 200 sq ft. What is the right insulation for an attic. Start in a far corner and start rolling out the foil over the insulation. When adding additional insulation you do not have to use the same type of insulation that currently exists in your attic.

As a result of evaporation people breathing and plant respiration air carries some. Creating a moisture barrier. The vapor retarder on top of or between layers of insulation can trap moisture. Cut around these items it does not have to be.

If you use fiberglass over loose fill make sure the fiberglass batt has no paper or foil backing. In a cooling climate a good blanket of attic insulation helps keep the house cooler and reduces the load on air conditioning equipment. Faced insulation should not be placed on top of existing insulation in the attic. The table below shows what levels of insulation are cost effective for different climates and locations in the home.

It needs to be unfaced. Always cover the tops of the ceiling joists to make sure the insulation is deep enough to reach your target r value and. Alignment obstacles in the attic. You can add loose fill on top of fiberglass batts or blankets and vice versa.

Warnings for installing. It helps resist moisture that can lead to mold or mildew and provides increased sound and thermal insulation. Any new batt or roll insulation installed over existing insulation in the attic needs to be without a vapor retarder face. Over the insulation install start at the farthest corner.

The higher the r value the better the thermal performance of the insulation. Unfinished or uninsulated attics need a layer of protection against air migration. Rolls batts or blown in insulation. More insulation installation tricks and tips work from the perimeter of the attic toward the door or hatch so that you don t trample all over the insulation you just.

Any existing batt or roll insulation in the attic should have the facing against the attic drywall floor or no facing at all. Insulation level are specified by r value. Typically houses in warm weather states should have an r 38 insulation in the attic whereas houses in cold climates should have r 49. A quick rule of thumb is that you should have a vapor barrier on the warm side of the insulation.

It s often used over existing insulation in the attic where moisture control isn t needed. These insulation levels will keep heated air from migrating out in winter. Try a spray foam insulation kit to fill cavities gaps cracks expansion joints and other sources of air leaks.