Faced Or Unfaced Insulation For Attic

To this end you insulate your home.

Faced or unfaced insulation for attic.

Unfaced insulation can greatly reduce the risk of mold mildew or moisture damage in your house. Among the many insulation options available for the homeowner there is one that stands above the rest. The insulation should be snug in the cavity but not compressed. The kraft paper itself is highly flammable.

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. Faced insulation has flanges on the outside of the batt that need to be stapled to the wall studs and joists. In crawl spaces unfaced insulation is generally only used when adding to existing insulation. The kraft paper on one side of faced insulation keeps moisture from spreading throughout the walls or ceiling.

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. Faced insulation is used in exterior walls attics finished basements floors and ceilings. It is stapled to studs and joists unlike unfaced batts. What is the right insulation for an attic.

Climate also dictates how the vapor barrier should be positioned. Unfaced insulation when adding more insulation to an attic that already has insulation use unfaced insulation. To make things safe cover your unfaced insulation with drywall to prevent the risk of a fire. This is usually kraft paper but sometimes other types of paper can be used.

As a result of evaporation people breathing and plant respiration air carries some. The facing should aim down toward the living space. Faced insulation if the attic doesn t have any existing insulation use faced insulation with the paper facing toward. You should only use faced insulation as the first layer of insulation.

So in an attic the paper faces downward and in a crawl space it faces upward. The same is true for an attic floor. Here s what you need to know about the facing on attic insulation. Creating a moisture barrier.

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. Unfinished or uninsulated attics need a layer of protection against air migration. The insulation can also be used to fill cracks around doors and windows but you ll need to peel off the facing.

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 can buy them unfaced or simply remove the paper or foil backing. Any time you use a faced insulation the paper needs to be facing toward the living space.