How To Install Attic Insulation Over Existing

For the majority of installations there are basically two different methods used to install radiant barrier foil in an attic.

How to install attic insulation over existing.

Sometimes there is enough insulation in the middle of the attic and very little along the eaves. Any existing batt or roll insulation in the attic should have the facing against the attic drywall floor or no facing at all. To see how to add insulation out to the eaves see installing rafter vents. To install fiberglass batts over existing insulation lay the batts perpendicular to the joists so they do not compress the insulation below.

Overlap the seams by about 12 inches and run the plastic up the walls at least 6 inches. So if you re installing insulation in an attic that doesn t have any used faced insulation and put the paper side down toward the ceiling. To cut blanket style insulation place the product over a piece of plywood with its paper or foil side down. The vapor retarder on top of or between layers of insulation can trap moisture.

Whether you live in a warm weather state as i do or in a cooler northern climate it s hard to stay comfortable and keep your energy bills in check if you don t have adequate insulation in the attic. If you re installing additional insulation in an attic that s already insulated use unfaced insulation that doesn t have a vapor barrier. This means of insulation has its disadvantages. Any new batt or roll insulation installed over existing insulation in the attic needs to be without a vapor retarder face.

Cost effective way to save energy with this old house general contractor tom silva. Faced insulation should not be placed on top of existing insulation in the attic. To install blown in insulation in existing walls holes are drilled at the top of each stud space usually on the exterior and material is blown in. If your attic insulation covers your joists and is distributed evenly you probably have enough.

See below for a shopping list and tools subscribe to this old house. Lay a two by four on top temporarily compressing the insulation to a manageable. Check the insulation manufacturer s instructions for the necessary thickness of plastic. The first is stapling foil to the bottom of the roof rafters the second is laying it out over the existing attic ceiling insulation.