Faced Or Unfaced Insulation For Attic

Creating a moisture barrier.

Faced or unfaced insulation for attic.

Faced insulation is used in exterior walls attics finished basements floors and ceilings. It is stapled to studs and joists unlike unfaced batts. Unfaced insulation can greatly reduce the risk of mold mildew or moisture damage in your house. What is the right insulation for an attic.

Paper faced insulation means that one side of the insulation material comes lined with paper. 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. So in an attic the paper faces downward and in a crawl space it faces upward. Place a new layer of unfaced batts perpendicular to the old layer to cover any gaps in the lower layer.

The kraft paper on one side of faced insulation keeps moisture from spreading throughout the walls or ceiling. Unfaced insulation when adding more insulation to an attic that already has insulation use unfaced insulation. In crawl spaces unfaced insulation is generally only used when adding to existing insulation. Among the many insulation options available for the homeowner there is one that stands above the rest.

Faced insulation has flanges on the outside of the batt that need to be stapled to the wall studs and joists. 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. You should only use faced insulation as the first layer of insulation. This is usually kraft paper but sometimes other types of paper can be used.

Here s what you need to know about the facing on attic insulation. Unfaced insulation is just insulation without an attached moisture barrier. If you re putting it in an exterior wall the facing is on the interior side of the home where drywall will be laid. Faced or the type with paper is typically used in first time applications such as in walls ceilings floors and in crawl spaces.

To make things safe cover your unfaced insulation with drywall to prevent the risk of a fire. You can buy them unfaced or simply remove the paper or foil backing. Climate also dictates how the vapor barrier should be positioned. The kraft paper itself is highly flammable.

As a result of evaporation people breathing and plant respiration air carries some. Faced insulation if the attic doesn t have any existing insulation use faced insulation with the paper facing toward. The insulation can also be used to fill cracks around doors and windows but you ll need to peel off the facing. The insulation should be snug in the cavity but not compressed.

If you re using unfaced insulation in an area where a vapor barrier is required or recommended you may be able to add your own barrier using plastic sheeting. The same is true for an attic floor. Unfinished or uninsulated attics need a layer of protection against air migration.