Attic insulation is essential for any house. Your attic will likely be as cold as the outdoor temperature. Therefore, it is important to purchase the right type of insulation for your area. Also, when installing attic insulation, make sure you do not skimp on materials. It will not do your home any good, if there are a lot of gaps or damage in the attic insulation.

Related articles: Heating and Cooling

How do you know what type of attic insulation to purchase?

When purchasing the attic insulation for your home, consider where you live. If you live in a warm environment, you can purchase R38 attic insulation. If you live in a cold environment, you should purchase R49 attic insulation. If you are installing attic insulation yourself, you will likely install fiberglass batts or blow in loose-fill cellulose or fiberglass. Most people tend to install batts because it is simple and has the exact R-value of the fiberglass batt listed right on the package.

Purchase attic insulation that does not have a vapor retarder. However, if you are adding insulation for the first time, buy the first layer of insulation with a kraft-paper vapor retarder. Install it kraft-paper side down. This will stop moisture from rising from the house and damaging the attic.

Materials you will need for installing attic insulation:

• Fiberglass batt insulation
• Attic vents or baffles
• Spray foam to seal vent penetrations through attic floor
• Plywood to put over joists for a temporary floor to kneel on

Tools for installing attic insulation:

• Work light
• Tape measure
• Utility knife
• Straight edge
• Lightweight stapler (squeeze type)
• Putty knife or shim to push insulation into position
• Work gloves
• Loose fitting, long sleeved shirt
• Safety glasses
• Disposable dust mask
• Long pants
• Hat
• Boots

10 Steps to install attic insulation:

1Set up temporary lighting and plywood flooring.

2Be sure to dress properly for this job. You do not want any skin exposed to insulation as it can be very itchy. Always wear safety glasses and a dust mask when dealing with insulation.

3Open up the attic insulation somewhere OTHER than the attic.

4Carry the insulation for the first layer up to the attic.

5Start to install insulation from the outer edges of the attic and work towards the center.

6Unroll the insulation in its place and cut it to fit. Do NOT push in on the batt insulation, as this reduces the R-value.

7Install the second layer of insulation perpendicular to the first layer.

8Attic vents or rafter baffles should be installed for air to flow freely from the soffit vents upwards. The vents should be secured in between the rafters.

9Insulation should be kept at least 3 inches away from hot lights, the chimney and flu by cutting and stapling it to ensure it stays in place. However, it is okay to be close to recessed lights that are labeled “I.C.”

10Use insulation that is not faced around the chimney.

This is a very simple project that can save you a lot of money, as well as keep you much warmer on those cold days and keep the air conditioning in on those warm days.

• Add New
• Search

Comments (3)

• |2009-03-02 20:32:25 jonny  - I am going to try this
  I"m going to try this - My attic needs more insulation.
  
  Thanks,
  • 0
  • 0

  ReplyQuote

• |2009-09-12 07:33:07 Judy-lynn  - Baffles how to and when?
  How do you creat baffles and when do u install( i would assume before you start?)? is it the same procedure for blown in insulation?
  Thank-You
  Judy-Lynn
  • 0
  • 0

  ReplyQuote

• |2010-01-15 15:56:19 Donald Kamrar
  I want to put bat insulation over blown in insulation that has compacted over the years. My question is, which direction do I lay the bats, across the rafters or inside the rafters
  • 0
  • 0

  ReplyQuote

Write comment

Your Contact Details:

Name:

Email: do not notifynotify

Website:

Comment:

Title:

UBBCode:         -color-aquablackbluefuchsiagraygreenlimemaroonnavyolivepurpleredsilvertealwhiteyellow -size-tinysmallmediumlargehuge

Message:

Security

Please input the anti-spam code that you can read in the image.

Do it yourself - Home