Putting Insulation In Attic Ceiling

Use our roll insulation calculator to estimate how much roll or batt insulation you ll need.

Putting insulation in attic ceiling.

The paper facing on insulation has an asphalt layer which acts as a vapor barrier. And be careful not to step through the ceiling. 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. 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.

By the end of the weekend you re going to be sore and tired. The installation of loose fill insulation often renders the attic as unusable for storage purposes due to the loose fill on the floor. The batting material must be faced and. Rigid foam board insulation can be used in the ceiling as well.

Find your zone on the map and then use the chart to determine the level of insulation you need to properly insulate your attic walls floors and crawlspaces. Achieving greater r values in attics the higher the r value the better the thermal performance of the insulation. How to install attic insulation over existing insulation. You can do it yourself for about 500.

The standard width for joists is 24 inches. Measure between joists if insulating a floor or attic or studs if insulating unfinished walls to find the correct width for the insulation. In the attic install a card that indicates insulation levels in the house to meet code requirements. If you re insulating framed walls make sure the insulation is the correct thickness for your wall studs.

Purchase rolls or packages of insulation that will fit in the spaces between the ceiling joists. One for attic prep and the second to actually blow the insulation. When you do the measuring make sure you have plenty of light to work by and work on a cool day. As a result some homeowners may find it more desirable to place rigid board insulation on the floor and cover it up with plywood.

Set up a stepladder tall enough to work comfortably from. But saving 1 000 or more with blown in ceiling insulation will make up for your aching back. When installing multiple layers of insulation for optimal thermal performance install the first layer bottom layer parallel to attic framing members and flush with both bottom and top. 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.

The chart included below shows you the approximate thickness of each type of insulation you should ideally have in the attic. To make insulating an attic easier grab a helper and set aside two days.