Does Attic Insulation Need To Be Tight

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.

Does attic insulation need to be tight.

How much attic insulation do you need video video transcript althea asks. In many cases the vertical distance between the top plates of the exterior walls and the underside of the roof sheathing is only 6 or 7 inches. We typically work through and seal the attic bypasses with the existing insulation in place olson says. 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.

Loose fill or batt the common term for blanket insulation. 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. Mixing and matching insulation is an option. 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.

A typical insulation project can range from 1 500 to 5 000 depending on the size of the project. Both can be added to uninsulated attics or layered over existing material. 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. 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.

This is because without attic insulation heat typically rises in the. For diy attic insulation you ve got two choices. If you choose loose fill insulation you ll need to rent a machine to install it. Should i use faced or unfaced insulation in my attic.

0but olson says in many cases the old insulation does not need to be removed which keeps costs down. See install batt and roll insulation for details. 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. If the rafters are split or appear to be sagging they may need to be strengthened before proceeding further with insulation.

The type of material you use is up to you. Once you ve decided which type is best for you examine the material options and prices to home in on the right product. 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.