Proper Way To Insulate An Attic

The table below shows what levels of insulation are cost effective for different climates and locations in the home.

Proper way to insulate an attic. 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. The higher the r value the better the thermal performance of the insulation. Before insulating seal any air leaks and make roof and other necessary repairs.

It s a diy project you can tackle in a weekend and the savings you ll get add up every year says toh general contractor tom silva. In this video this old house general contractor tom silva and host kevin o connor explain how to insulate an attic. While wearing dust mask and gloves carry r 38 batts of unfaced fiberglass insulation into the attic. Insulate and air seal any knee walls vertical walls with attic space directly behind them in your home as well.

Insulating the attic is a surefire way to warm your home this winter. Insulation level are specified by r value. That means insulating the attic floor only not the walls and having vents in the roof. Since home insulation changes the way attics and crawlspaces breathe it s critical that you maintain or install proper ventilation fig.

Lay the batts across the ceiling joists covering the existing insulation. So it s time to pay close attention to what s happening up there. But other home maintenance tasks can also defend your house and all of its inhabitants from chilly weather and blustering winds. If it is located in a conditioned part of the house also remember to insulate and air seal your attic access.

When you insulate attics and crawlspaces you ve got to vent them too. A finished attic should be insulated much like the rest of the house with insulation in the walls and ceiling. With a finished attic insulation must help keep the attic areas comfortable. Proper attic insulation is the best way to prevent heat loss in the winter and retain cool air in the summer.

At first it seems odd to add insulation for warmth and then purposely create ventilation holes for cold air to enter.