Attic Insulation Batts Over Blown

Blown in insulation requires a professional.

Attic insulation batts over blown.

For diy attic insulation you ve got two choices. Attic insulation is accomplished with either fiberglass blankets batt or blown in insulation. Any new batt or roll insulation installed over existing insulation in the attic needs to be without a vapor retarder face. My attic has very very little existing blown in insulation in between the joists.

Fiberglass comes from what i ve heard one major fiberglass insulation manufacturer call a rapidly renewable resource sand. For this we use owens corning propink. Any existing batt or roll insulation in the attic should have the facing against the attic drywall floor or no facing at all. Before choosing blown vs.

I live in chicago and my house is cold. If you are upgrading your attic space we blow in insulation on top of your batt to achieve desired insulation values. The photo above shows an attic insulated with blown cellulose. Batt insulation take time to read this column.

Input length width and desired r value of the area to be insulated. Can i even do it this way because of the existing blow in insulation as far as moisture getting in between the blow. Both can be added to uninsulated attics or layered over existing material. A bag of cellulose runs about 11 50 and will cover 36 7 square feet at a.

In the vapor barrier. Once you ve decided which type is best for you examine the material options and prices to home in on the right product. Cellulose insulation has an average thermal value of r 3 7 so you d need just over five inches to equal an r 19 batt. With the paper face down or up.

I don t know about that but it s a common insulation material that works much better in the blown form than in batts. This calculator is to be used as an estimating tool only. The vapor retarder on top of or between layers of insulation can trap moisture. If properly done this should not cause a condensation problem in the wall cavity unless you are leaking interior air thru gaps etc.

Click the button to calculate the depth in inches and pounds of total insulation required for this job. 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. Loose fill or batt the common term for blanket insulation. Blown in insulation is then applied over the batt level to fill any voids and gaps around joists and other structures and to increase the level of insulation to recommended levels.

How do i lay the batts over the blown in insulation. Batt insulation is available at home centers and lumberyards. Unfaced batt insulation friction fit between studs in walls with poly vapor barrier over walls and ceilings blown in attics with minimum r 40 insulation attention to detail.