If you're installing insulation yourself, remember these guidelines when using a vapor barrier: * Always place the vapor barrier towards the warm side of the insulated area - facing downward on the attic floor or to the interior side of the wall. * When adding a second layer of insulation to an attic, do NOT add a second vapor barrier - this can trap moisture inside the first layer. Use loose-fill or unfaced batts or blankets; if only faced batts are available, cut facing every few inches to allow air to pass through. * If the vapor barrier tears during installation, tape it tightly. * If you have a crawlspace, add polyethylene vapor barrier on the floor of the area to reduce condensation from ground moisture.
good in walls, but not enough for attic./ceilings
My house was built in 1950, with it still has the original attic installation. How long does the installation last? is it time to update or add more>
attic, wall and floor insulation, weatherstripping ,energy efficient windows sealing drafts to name a few.
Yes. Skylights on roofs typically have a light well that extends through the attic. This light well should be insulated to prevent heat loss into the attic. The air/vapor barrier should be on the warm side, which is the side closest to the interior finish. The light wells can be thought of as conventional walls, exposed to the attic. These are similar to knee walls.
Attic Entertainment Software was created in 1990-09.
form_title=Attic Insulation form_header=Keep your attic warm and cool during the right seasons! Get insulation installed to your attic by the experts. What weather conditions are common in your area?=_ Do you have any exisiting insulation in your attic?= () Yes () No () Unsure Are there any structures in your attic that would make putting in insulation difficult?= () Yes () No () Unsure How old is your home?=_
The proper level of insulation in your attic is dependent upon many factors, including the square footage and climate. The Home Depot (or other major hardware store) professionals will help you calculate the appropriate level of insulation for your space.
I went to a seminar about attic insulating materials and this is what I learned. If you already have blow-in insulation in your attic you shouldn't need more fiberglass. Instead, you will want to install a reflective radiant barrier insulation. Fiberglass and cellulose are designed to slow down heat escaping so you eventually lose most of your heat through the ceiling regardless. You need something to re-direct the heat once it passes through the blow-in insulation. Radiant Barrier will reflect a majority of the heat back once it escapes your blow-in insulation. I bought some Ecofoil online and just rolled it out over top of my existing blow-in insulation, it was very easy. When installing radiant barrier over the attic floor you must use the perforated radiant barrier for maximum breathability. Moist air that is created inside your home must be able to escape as it rises through your ceiling. If a perforated radiant barrier is not used, the moisture will be trapped in between the barrier and your ceiling. When trapped this will cause condensation to form inside the building materials and insulation creating damage and mold.
The Home Depot has a comprehensive guide on how to install insulation in an attic. Additionally, Energy Star offers a similar guide for installing insulation in an attic.
Times are tough in the financial department these days and many individuals are opting to optimize the efficiency of their indoor climate control by installing DIY attic insulation in their home or office. While most individuals are perfectly capable of completing this task without the aid of a paid professional, three major tips can keep you on the right track when it comes to installing attic insulation. First, ensure that you are using the right insulation for your particular environment. Second, make sure your vapor barrier is facing the right way. Third, be sure that you are insulating every surface that requires it, as skipping essentials can add up to higher heating bills when the cold winter months are upon you.Proper MaterialsIn order to successfully complete your attic insulation project, you must first set yourself up for success by selecting the proper insulation materials for use in your particular environment. Attic insulation materials are available in three main forms: fiberglass, rock wool and cellulose. Do some research online with the help of your favorite major search engine in order to discover which of these insulation materials will give you the best return on your investment in your particular setting.Vapor Barrier CheckWhen installing your attic insulation, you should always double (and triple) check to make sure that the vapor barrier is facing downward, toward the space where the people in your environment do their living and working. If you make a mistake on this key aspect of the attic insulation process, you will be creating future trouble for yourself in the form of water damage. This is due to the fact that a vapor barrier facing the wrong direction will trap moisture instead of dispersing it.Cover All Required SurfacesIt seems as though everyone is exceedingly busy today and you may be tempted to install attic insulation on your attic walls alone. While this may initially save you a bit of time, it will wind up costing you a good amount of money when winter rolls around. Make sure to install attic insulation on the ceiling of your attic as well as the walls, so that your home is properly insulated from the weather.
Stick the paper based insulation to the attic door so it does not move. TONY SILLATO
Fiberglass and cellulose insulation work by slowing down heat transfer from one source to another. That's why the thicknesses of those insulation's are crucial for performance. Also, fiberglass and cellulose only resist heat transfer, they don't block or reflect it so it eventually escapes through. Perforated radiant barrier can be installed over top of existing attic insulation to form a reflective cover to enhance your other insulation. When installing radiant barrier over the attic floor you must use the perforated radiant barrier for maximum breathability. Moist air that is created inside your home must be able to escape as it rises through your ceiling. If a perforated radiant barrier is not used, the moisture will be trapped in between the barrier and your ceiling. When trapped this will cause condensation to form inside the building materials and insulation creating damage and mold. - EcoFoil
in arizona according to the Department of Energy, they call for in an attic insulated home to have the equivalent of 16 inches to 18 inches of blown in attic insulation. Attic insulation is measured in R values regardless of what type of insulation you blow in or lay down. Attic guard is usually your best type of insulation which should be blown in at an R value of 49-60 in an Arizona home
People often want to store things in their attic, but attics are often very cold in the winter and very warm in the summer. However, with proper insulation, an attic can maintain a comfortable temperature and become the perfect place for storage, play, or a spare bedroom. Having your attic properly insulated can also help regulate the temperature of the whole house, and save money on your energy bill. You may think this is too expensive, but if you learn how to install attic insulation yourself, you can save money and keep your attic comfortable.There are different kinds of do-it-yourself attic insulations. You have to do research and figure out what will be best for your particular attic. No matter what kind of insulation you decide to install, there are some necessary safety precautions you must take. First of all, if you are replacing old insulation, you need to be sure that the old insulation does not contain asbestos. If you are not sure, you can easily take a small sample and send it to a lab. If it comes back negative for asbestos, go ahead and rip out your old insulation. You also need to make sure that you wear the correct clothing. If the new insulation is made of fiberglass, it is very easy for tiny particles of it to get in your skin. Keep yourself well-covered and wear a face-mask and goggles. Another safety precaution to take is to be sure that your new insulation is not packed over the space where the roof meets the exterior walls to ensure a proper airflow. As you are working, be on the lookout for any old light fixtures and wires. These should never be covered with insulation.Some of the available types of insulation are fiberglass, cellulose foam, and reflective attic insulation. These all have their good points, but no two attics are exactly alike. However, all these kinds of insulation that are designed for do-it-yourself projects have clear instructions on how they should be used. Work carefully in the attic and work with someone else, and you can safely install your attic insulation yourself.
I have no insulation in my attic and have been told that I might be able to get a grant towards the cost of getting it done. Where could I find out more about this?
The techniques vary widely depending upon what type of insulation you choose. You can find how to instructions for all types of insulation here http://www.ehow.com/how_4797877_replace-attic-insulation.html
Radiant Barrier is fairly cheap if you look online. I did my attic this spring and at that time the cheapest was from www.ecofoil.com at $125.00 / 1000 s.f. I didnt need to add blow in but I think its around $5 for 16 cubic ft.