Proper Way To Insulate Attic Ceiling

For diy attic insulation you ve got two choices.

Proper way to insulate attic ceiling.

But its open cell structure still allows moisture to escape. Your home needs at least some type of insulation to keep the interior temperature of your home regulated regardless of the specific climate you live in. See below for a shopping list and tools. Loose fill or batt the common term for blanket insulation.

Sprayed against the underside of the roof deck it seals against air movement eliminating the need for a vapor barrier or ventilation. To meet all three goals insulating your finished attic ventilating the roof and maximizing headroom use a combination of dense batt insulation rigid foam sheeting and air chutes. The table below shows what levels of insulation are cost effective for different climates and locations in the home. Insulate and air seal any knee walls vertical walls with attic space directly behind them in your home as well.

If you re finishing your attic insulating it to the proper r value can cause a dramatic loss of headroom if you limit yourself to fiberglass batts. R value is a measure of insulation s ability to resist heat traveling through it. With a finished attic insulation must help keep the attic areas comfortable. If you don t have an attic however there is.

This old house general contractor tom silva and host kevin o connor demonstrate the proper way to insulate an attic. Typical ceiling insulation involves spreading either loose fill or batt the term commonly used for blanket insulation within the attic or airspace of a home. The higher the r value the better the thermal performance of the insulation. If it is located in a conditioned part of the house also remember to insulate and air seal your attic access.

That means insulating the attic floor only not the walls and having vents in the roof. When tom insulates a cathedral ceiling or a finished attic he also turns to foam. Once you ve decided which type is best for you examine the material options and prices to home in on the right product. Insulation level are specified by r value.

If you have an attic there are quick ways to insulate the ceiling from above after drywalling it. Before insulating seal any air leaks and make roof and other necessary repairs. Illustration by ian worpole. How to insulate a finished attic.