Attic Insulation Sides

R value is a measure of insulation s ability to resist heat traveling through it.

Attic insulation sides.

If using insulation with a vapor retardant facing install the material with the vapor retardant side down. Some of the insulation in the attic is the stuff that blows on and doesn t have a paper side. Attic hatch or door. Insulation level are specified by r value.

Pull down stair or ladder. But before you cut any holes plan the locations of the attic vents. The ceiling joists not rafters generally are flat do not slope and have sheetrock nailed on the living space side and are open to the attic with unfaced insulation between the ceiling joists and unfaced insulation does not have a moisture barrier so it can breath and dry out as needed. Begin at a wall and work toward the center of the attic floor or the entryway carefully placing insulation between joists and ensuring a snug fit.

This method of insulation won t work if the triangular attic includes ducts or plumbing pipes. Add weatherstripping around the perimeter and a sweep to the door of a walk up attic. Use a zippered insulated tent to keep the enclosure draft free. Attic ventilation works on the principle that heated air naturally rises primarily utilizing two types of vents.

Photos 1 6 show how it s done. He said since it was low i could roll out r 30 on it which i did. Houses with gable roofs may also have vents located on the side of the house. Adding attic vents is a simple matter of cutting holes and installing vents.

This barrier is meant to keep moisture from getting to the insulation in the walls and ceilings and it is required by building codes when insulating most houses. In any case the vapor barrier must point to the warm side. I put the paper side facing toward the inside of the house. Vapor barriers are sheets of plastic or other material placed on one side of insulation sheets.

The table below shows what levels of insulation are cost effective for different climates and locations in the home. An insulated kneewall is effectively an exterior wall so you ll need a layer of rigid foam drywall osb or thermoply on the back side of the kneewall to prevent cold air from degrading the performance of the insulation. The higher the r value the better the thermal performance of the insulation. Affix rigid foam insulation to the attic side of the hatch or door.

Be careful not to compress the material when pressing it in place.