How To Install Insulation In Attic Ceiling
Check pipes and vents.
How to install insulation in attic ceiling. Before installing determine the insulation material best suited for your home. While wearing dust mask and gloves carry r 38 batts of unfaced fiberglass insulation into 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 old house general contractor tom silva and host kevin o connor demonstrate the proper way to insulate an attic.
Begin laying in the insulation starting at an area farthest from the attic access image 1. For all eaves with vents fasten bottom of baffle in place to allow insulation to completely cover the top plate. Calculate how much you need. The standard width for joists is 24 inches.
Purchase rolls or packages of insulation that will fit in the spaces between the ceiling joists. Lay the batts across the ceiling joists covering the existing insulation. 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. Measure and mark the height on the baffle.
Cut side fin and fold baffle at the measured mark to allow for correct insulation height. You can find out more in our articles on how to apply a vapor barrier to attic insulation and which way to face insulation. When rolling the insulation cut it to length using a utility knife. Set up a stepladder tall enough to work comfortably from.
Verify the height allows for 1 inch of required air space. See below for a shopping list and tools.