Do I Need Faced Or Unfaced Insulation In My Attic

Faced insulation has flanges on the outside of the batt that need to be stapled to the wall studs and joists.

Do i need faced or unfaced insulation in my attic.

If you don t have enough it may be an indication that your home is under insulated and may not be properly sealed. So in an attic the paper faces downward and in a crawl space it faces upward. Attic insulation is available with and without a paper facing. It s important to use the right type of insulation to prevent moisture problems in your attic.

That s how the barrier is made effective. Always use unfaced batts both when laying product for the first time and to prevent moisture from becoming trapped between new and old layers of insulation. Place a new layer of unfaced batts perpendicular to the old layer to cover any gaps in the lower layer. It could just as well be a paper faced material or an unfaced material this kind of material lacks the paper that gives it steadiness.

Kraft faced insulation should be installed in exterior walls exterior basement walls and attic ceilings by pressing the product into the wall cavity with the paper side facing outward towards the installer. The first thing that you need to know is what type of insulation will work best for your home. Kraft faced insulation includes a paper vapor retarder which helps prevent mold and mildew. The facing contains a thin layer of asphalt which acts as a vapor barrier to block moisture.

Whether you choose faced or unfaced insulation for the attic depends on the. If a moisture barrier is required or recommended in your climate zone you will want to use the faced board again reflective facing is a good choice to insulate your walls. Unfaced insulation the type without paper is what you would use if you are adding insulation to your attic or to place between floors when living space is above and below. An unfaced insulation product does not mean that this product is any less effective that its paper faced.

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. Here s what you need to know about the facing on attic insulation. Any time you use a faced insulation the paper needs to be facing toward the living space. You need up to 19 inches or r 49 for efficiency.

Achieving greater r values in attics the higher the r value the better the thermal performance of the insulation. You can buy them unfaced or simply remove the paper or foil backing. Facing is a thin layer of paper or plastic attached to one side of batting insulation which is sold in a roll. The easiest place to get a gauge on your home s current insulation condition is in the attic.