Does Attic Insulation Need To Be Tight

Should i use faced or unfaced insulation in my attic.

Does attic insulation need to be tight. Rafter vents or insulation baffles install in any rafter space to create narrow gaps that direct fresh air from the soffit vents to the peak of the roof. But owners of older homes homes built before thick ceiling insulation was code mandated often discover that the attic lacks enough room near the eaves to accommodate minimum amounts of insulation. Loose fill blown in insulation is best for tight spaces or if your attic already has a layer of insulation that just needs to be topped off. Once you ve decided which type is best for you examine the material options and prices to home in on the right product.

This is because without attic insulation heat typically rises in the. If an inspection determines your home could use more insulation it doesn t mean you have to use the same types of materials that are already in your home. We typically work through and seal the attic bypasses with the existing insulation in place olson says. Clearing insulation from attic vents and adding sources of ventilation are the first plans of attack to loosen up a tight house.

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. See install batt and roll insulation for details. However in a traditionally insulated attic insulation on the ceiling the attic is vented. How much attic insulation do you need video video transcript althea asks.

These specialty vents do not affect the. The type of material you use is up to you. Loose fill or batt the common term for blanket insulation. Mixing and matching insulation is an option.

Then to really seal the attic access up tight says olson lay fiberglass batt insulation on the inside of the hatch or door and wrap it up tight like a christmas present photo 3. When we seal the attic with spray foam it s as tight as a butter tub. You can insulate the hatch door while you re inside the attic or slide the door out and do it more comfortably on a tarp outside. For diy attic insulation you ve got two choices.

One huge benefit of the spray foam insulated attic is that conditioned air leakage from the ac furnace duct system is contained and used to condition the attic. If you choose loose fill insulation you ll need to rent a machine to install it. A typical insulation project can range from 1 500 to 5 000 depending on the size of the project. If the rafters are split or appear to be sagging they may need to be strengthened before proceeding further with insulation.