Installing Unfaced Attic Insulation

Before installing determine the insulation material best suited for your home.

Installing unfaced attic insulation.

Always use unfaced batts both when laying product for the first time and to prevent moisture from becoming trapped between new and old layers of insulation. Installing insulation has almost the same steps for all. Flatten the tabs against the front edge of the stud on each side of the batt. What is the right insulation for an attic.

I ve always said adding insulation to your attic is some of the best money you can spend to make your house more energy efficient but whether to use faced or unfaced insulation is a great question. As a result of evaporation people breathing and plant respiration air carries some. Now here s a situation where a homeowner what looks like many years ago added insulation they added a three inch layer but. Fold out the paper flange along one side of the insulation.

Cut the insulation roll or batt to fit the length of the framing cavity if necessary. Once you have successfully cut it down to size gently fit it into the cavity without using force. Learn how one caller made an installation mistake and increased his chances of mold and condensation when he tried to add unfaced insulation over his blown in attic insulation. Calculate how much you need.

Unfold the mounting tab along each vertical edge of the batt. Place the insulation with the facing side down on a piece of scrap plywood. Place unfaced insulation on top of existing material such as loose fill. Set a t square or metal straightedge over the insulation and press it down firmly.

Unfinished or uninsulated attics need a layer of protection against air migration. If you re using unfaced insulation in an area where a vapor barrier is required or recommended you may be able to add your own barrier using plastic sheeting. Choose your insulation type. It s important not to lay faced insulation on top of faced insulation.

The basic installation steps are the same for walls ceilings floors and roofs in wood frame houses. Check pipes and vents. Place a new layer of unfaced batts perpendicular to the old layer to cover any gaps in the lower layer. Unfaced insulation is just insulation without an attached moisture barrier.

Creating a moisture barrier. In crawl spaces unfaced insulation is generally only used when adding to existing insulation. Use a staple gun and. Lay unfaced fiberglass roll or batt insulation between or across ceiling joists in attics with some existing insulation.

You can buy them unfaced or simply remove the paper or foil backing.