Putting Insulation In Attic

Your attic should have a certain amount of insulation in it and the recommended level of insulation for your attic is dependent on where you live.

Putting insulation in attic.

Inspecting your attic insulation. That means insulating the attic floor only not the walls and having vents in the roof. First things first you need to go up into your attic inspect the condition of the insulation and calculate the current level of insulation. Proper attic insulation is the best way to prevent heat loss in the winter and retain cool air in the summer.

Any new batt or roll insulation installed over existing insulation in the attic needs to be without a vapor retarder face. Now that you ve air sealed your attic and basement check your attic insulation levels and add more if necessary. So it s time to pay close attention to what s happening up there. To install fiberglass batts over existing insulation lay the batts perpendicular to the joists so they do not compress the insulation below.

With a finished attic insulation must help keep the attic areas comfortable. Faced insulation should not be placed on top of existing insulation in the attic. They didn t use enough insulation and they didn t seal up the attic bypasses or put in vent chutes olson says it s also common for older insulation to settle over time. Always cover the tops of the ceiling joists to make sure the insulation is deep enough to reach your target r value and to prevent thermal bridging the heat loss that occurs through the wood framing.

But you can blow cellulose over whatever kind of insulation is already there and this is a great diy project for someone who doesn t mind working up a sweat. How to insulate a finished 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. Spray insulation to the corners and perimeter of the attic first working your way into the center.

Work from the perimeter of the attic toward the door or hatch so that you don t trample all over the insulation you just put in. The vapor retarder on top of or between layers of insulation can trap moisture. Air migrates from warmer spaces toward colder spaces and insulation is designed to help prevent or at least slow that migration. A finished attic should be insulated much like the rest of the house with insulation in the walls and ceiling.