Where should insulation be installed?

In addition to walls and attics, insulation should be installed in ceilings with unheated spaces, basement walls, floors above vented crawl spaces, cathedral ceilings, floors over unheated garages or porches, knee walls, and in between interior walls—especially bathrooms—as well as ceilings and floors.

Where should you not put insulation?

Do not use fiberglass insulation in basements. Fiberglass traps mold well and basements are notorious for having moisture problems. Instead, use closed cell foam board and spray for basement installation. Never place insulation close to water heaters, oil burners or anything hot.

Which areas in a house should be insulated?

Where should insulation be placed in a wall?

Gently tuck the insulation into the cavities between wall studs. Pay special attention to the corners and edges. The insulation should fit snugly in the cavity and leave no gaps. Make sure the vapor retarder on faced insulation is facing the conditioned interior space unless building codes specify otherwise.

Does insulation go inside or outside?

Regardless of whether fiberglass insulation is installed in a wall, attic, or crawlspace; the paper facing should always face toward the inside of the home. That's because the paper contains a layer of asphalt adhesive which prevents water vapor from passing through it.

Right Vs Wrong: Installing Insulation Batts In Exterior Walls - Part One

Should interior walls be insulated?

Insulating interior walls isn't absolutely necessary, but it does offer a number of benefits. It controls noise, improves energy efficiency, provides fire protection, and reduces the risk of moisture problems.

Should I insulate my attic floor or ceiling?

roof insulation is no-contest. The floor wins every time. Insulating the floor is standard practice for an unfinished attic space. The exception to this rule takes place when families opt to convert an unfinished attic space into something usable or livable.

Should I insulate ceiling between floors?

In unfinished attic spaces, insulate between and over the floor joists to seal off living spaces below. If the air distribution is in the attic space, then consider insulating the rafters to move the distribution into the conditioned space.

Can you put insulation in ceiling?

In addition to walls and attics, insulation should be installed in ceilings with unheated spaces, basement walls, floors above vented crawl spaces, cathedral ceilings, floors over unheated garages or porches, knee walls, and in between interior walls—especially bathrooms—as well as ceilings and floors.

Can you over insulate a house?

It is possible to over-insulate your house so much that it can't breathe. The whole point of home insulation is to tightly seal your home's interior. But if it becomes too tightly sealed with too many layers of insulation, moisture can get trapped inside those layers. That's when mold starts to grow.

What part of a house should you insulate first?

You should insulate all exterior walls. This even includes walls that are between living spaces and unheated spaces such as an unheated garage. Floors – You should also consider insulating the floors of your home. This can help stop air from leaking between floors or even into the ground.

Is it more important to insulate walls or attic?

wall insulation, always go for the attic. The largest pay back will be seen here. You would stop heat loss from natural convection and block solar gain (an increase in heat) in the attic, which can result in energy savings of 30 to 50 percent. You won't see as big of a return on investment by insulating walls.

Are you supposed to insulate floors?

Without insulation, heat and cool air are easily lost through the floor. Insulation also helps to preserve the air quality and reduce energy costs.

What parts of an attic should be insulated?

In an unfinished attic, the goal of insulation is to keep the rooms below cool in summer and warm in winter. That means insulating the attic floor only—not the walls—and having vents in the roof. With a finished attic, insulation must help keep the attic areas comfortable.

Can you install insulation wrong?

You could do it wrong

Rather than a tight seal to prevent air from leaving or entering your home, air will simply be able to travel through the gaps. Thus, you'll likely still experience the draftiness in your home that made you want to install insulation in the first place.

Can you have too much insulation in your attic?

It's possible to over-insulate an attic as too much will cause moisture buildup and eventually result in mold. Eventually, adding more insulation leads to diminishing returns in trapping heat as well.

Can you put insulation directly against roof?

UPDATED on August 31, 2018 with new information on code changes allowing the use of vapor diffusion ports. Experts usually advise builders that you can't install fiberglass insulation directly against the underside of roof sheathing.

Should I put plastic over insulation before drywall?

Without poly beneath the drywall, water vapor hits the drywall and diffuses through to the drier (in summer) indoor air. By installing a sheet of poly there, you cut off that drying mechanism and water that finds its way into walls can stay there longer and do more damage.

Should you insulate between ground and first floor?

Generally speaking, you only need to insulate the ground floor. If you're on an upper floor, you don't usually need to insulate your floor space. However, you should consider insulating any floors that are above unheated spaces such as garages, as you could be losing a lot of heat through those.

Should I insulate my floor joists?

Insulating the joists can help create an effective vapor barrier that will keep humidity from sneaking inside your basement and causing the joists to expand and contract. This can be beneficial if you have hardwood floors and are all worried about moisture seeping up from the panels due to bad insulation.

How do you insulate underside of roof?

Open-cell spray polyurethane foam or closed-cell spray polyurethane foam (ccSPF) insulation can be sprayed along the underside of the roof sheathing to provide a conditioned and insulated attic space that can be durable and efficient in all climate zones (see Figure 1).

Should I insulate between the rafters in my attic?

Insulating between rafters will do no good, because the attic should be ventilated, and the rafter insulation would be between two unheated spaces. You can add insulation to the floor; the more the merrier. Just don't put it in the eaves. Also, make sure the attic is well ventilated.

Is it better to insulate ceiling or roof?

If you are deciding between insulating the roof deck or the ceiling, Insulating your ceiling should be the priority. Not only is it easier but ceiling insulation is beneficial in a number of ways: Keeps the temperature in the building regulated. Saves on energy costs.

How many inches of insulation should be in an attic?

The recommended level for most attics is to insulate to R-38 or about 10 to 14 inches, depending on insulation type.