However most older attics are under insulated so it s a good idea to raise the r value where possible.
Attic insulation dos and don ts.
Continuous air space between insulation and roof sheathing from eaves to ridge.
Wet or compressed insulation has no value for keeping your home warm.
A finished attic should be insulated much like the rest of the house with insulation in the walls and ceiling.
Do it yourself insulating do s and don ts.
Replace it with new insulation.
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.
Do not crush or stuff fiberglass insulation into a space.
Meanwhile adequate venting will prevent the attic from becoming too warm.
Never stuff insulation behind an electrical box.
For the best energy efficiency your attic should include both insulation and air vents.
Who wants to breath spun glass into their lungs.
The whole point of attic ventilation is to pull air in from below and expel it through the top.
More in a space is not better.
The insulation will keep heated or cooled air trapped below in your living space where you want it.
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.
Measuring it is the only way to find out its r value.
Do s and don ts when insulating your attic by roy cobler september 27 2016 the insulation of a house is seen as a science of transforming a space into a more energy efficient house so it is understandable that you consider hiring experts when you want to install insulation in your attic.
But if you don t do this you re setting yourself up for moisture problems.
If the insulation is at or below the level of the joists add more insulation.
Do check your attic s level of insulation.
Split the batt to fit neatly behind the box and then cut the rest to fit around it.
Do remove damaged insulation.
Crushing the insulation reduces the effectiveness of the product.
Insulation goes between roof and interior space if your attic is already finished it probably is at least partially insulated.
Do include attic vents above insulation.
In winter a cooler attic is more efficient for preventing ice dams because it keeps the roof cool.
Do wear a mask and protective clothing when working with fiberglass insulation.
Don t pack the gaps around windows.
A radiant barrier will maximize efficiency by minimizing surface temperature of the attic insulation.
Firstly although some alternative insulation materials can do the trick and be less expensive such as cork or denim insulation please note that.
A serrated bread knife is a good tool for both cutting and shifting the fiberglass.
The insulation should be able to expand just enough to fill the cavity without compressing.
When you add insulation to attic rafters and attic floors it s important to maintain at least a 1 in.
Insulation don ts now that you have been advised on what you should do in order of ending up with a successfully implemented insulation project it is time to move on to some insulation don ts.
Don t assume your home has adequate insulation.
