Putting Insulation In Attic Ceiling

Blowing attic insulation isn t hard but it s dusty sweaty work.

Putting insulation in attic ceiling.

Measure between joists if insulating a floor or attic or studs if insulating unfinished walls to find the correct width for the insulation. 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. If you re insulating framed walls make sure the insulation is the correct thickness for your wall studs. Install batting between the attic s floor joists.

By the end of the weekend you re going to be sore and tired. The batting material must be faced and. The chart included below shows you the approximate thickness of each type of insulation you should ideally have in the attic. But saving 1 000 or more with blown in ceiling insulation will make up for your aching back.

Find your zone on the map and then use the chart to determine the level of insulation you need to properly insulate your attic walls floors and crawlspaces. The installation of loose fill insulation often renders the attic as unusable for storage purposes due to the loose fill on the floor. The paper facing on insulation has an asphalt layer which acts as a vapor barrier. Rigid foam board insulation can be used in the ceiling as well.

Purchase rolls or packages of insulation that will fit in the spaces between the ceiling joists. As a result some homeowners may find it more desirable to place rigid board insulation on the floor and cover it up with plywood. To make insulating an attic easier grab a helper and set aside two days. In the attic install a card that indicates insulation levels in the house to meet code requirements.

How to install attic insulation over existing insulation. The standard width for joists is 24 inches. Set up a stepladder tall enough to work comfortably from. 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.

When you do the measuring make sure you have plenty of light to work by and work on a cool day. Insulating attic floors unfinished or uninsulated attics need a layer of protection against air migration. You can do it yourself for about 500. One for attic prep and the second to actually blow the insulation.

Achieving greater r values in attics the higher the r value the better the thermal performance of the insulation. Use our roll insulation calculator to estimate how much roll or batt insulation you ll need.