Proper Insulation Installation In Attic

Begin at a wall and work toward the center of the attic floor or the entryway carefully placing insulation between joists and ensuring a snug fit.

Proper insulation installation in attic.

The basic installation steps are the same for walls ceilings floors and roofs in wood frame houses. Fiberglass batts the insulation found in most houses in the u s are inexpensive and quick to install. Don t push batt or blanket insulation past the top plate at the end of joist runs. The paper facing on insulation has an asphalt layer which acts as a vapor barrier.

To install insulation batts and blankets. In most climates it needs a vapor barrier. Plan to pull up the flooring and layer new insulation on top of the old. Diy home repairs are becoming more popular but this is one job you should leave to the professionals.

Existing 3 4 inches of insulation. Place the insulation with the facing side down on a piece of scrap plywood. Ensure insulation extends to the outside edge of the exterior top plates and is flush against any ventilation dams baffles. You only want one vapor barrier in your attic and it should be as close to the ceiling as possible to prevent warm moist air from coming up from the heated house and condensing when it hits the cold air in the attic.

Or fold it back and up between the rafters. Recommended insulation levels for retrofitting existing wood framed buildings. On average an attic insulation project costs between 1 50 and 3 50 per square foot. But if the floor is covered in plywood you can t stuff enough insulation beneath it to do the job sufficiently not even in warm climates.

If you re insulating framed walls make sure the insulation is the correct thickness for your wall studs. Set a t square or metal straightedge over the insulation and press it down firmly. Because the simplest and cheapest way to insulate an attic is to add material to the floor. Cut the insulation roll or batt to fit the length of the framing cavity if necessary.

Ensure ends of insulation are butted together and flush to underside of framing. Measure between joists if insulating a floor or attic or studs if insulating unfinished walls to find the correct width for the insulation. Or pour fill insulation into such areas. Attic insulation requires special equipment and adequate ventilation.

Like other batt type insulation fiberglass has a predictable r value if not compressed but is difficult to fit around obstacles without leaving gaps. This includes the cost of professional installation and any necessary electric work. If using insulation with a vapor retardant facing install the material with the vapor retardant side down.