Putting Fiberglass Batts In Attic

Any existing batt or roll insulation in the attic should have the facing against the attic drywall floor or no facing at all.

Putting fiberglass batts in attic.

While wearing dust mask and gloves carry r 38 batts of unfaced fiberglass insulation into the attic. Air migrates from warmer spaces toward colder spaces and insulation is designed to help prevent or at least slow that migration. Insulation should be rolled out perpendicular to the joists and unfaced rolls should be used. Kneel on one end of the straightedge and press down on the opposite end with your hand.

Begin laying in the insulation starting at an area farthest from the attic access image 1. When rolling the insulation cut it to length using a utility knife. What is the right insulation for an attic. Anytime you can decrease the amount of spf and use more fiberglass there will be a cost savings.

Batts are easier to handle than the type that consists of thousands of tiny chunks. Whether you live in a warm weather state as i do or in a cooler northern climate it s hard to stay comfortable and keep your energy bills in check if you don t have adequate insulation in the attic. Guide the utility knife along the straightedge to slice through the insulation. Get the kind of insulation that comes in 16 and 24 inch wide rolls and precut lengths called batt insulation.

When it comes to insulating your attic there are really only two types of insulation worth considering fiberglass batts or blown in insulation. When you reach the end of a line pull the insulation back slightly then place it on a joist so there is a solid surface to cut on. You may need to make two or three passes to cut all the way through. Measure and cut your own batts from rolls of fiberglass insulation.

Lay the batts across the ceiling joists covering the existing insulation. Batt or rolled insulation or blown loose fill insulation fiberglass or cellulose can be installed on top of old insulation. Watch our video on flash and batt insulation installation for more information. To install fiberglass batts over existing insulation lay the batts perpendicular to the joists so they do not compress the insulation below.

The fiberglass batts in the wall above it extend past the bottom of the wall cavity and fit loosely into the cavity of the 2 12 floor joists hiding the fact that there is no insulation in that void. Blown in insulation consists of bags of fiberglass or cellulose that are chopped up and blown in to the attic or wall from a machine.