Which way does insulation go in an attic?

The best way to face attic insulation is always towards the heated part of the home since the paper facing consists of asphalt adhesive that serves as the vapor barrier. Installing it backward traps the moisture inside, causing it to rot and mold.
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Which way does attic insulation face?

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.
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Should insulation in attic be paper up or down?

Faced Insulation: If the attic doesn't have any existing insulation, use faced insulation with the paper facing toward the heated living space. Unfaced Insulation: When adding more insulation to an attic that already has insulation, use unfaced insulation.
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How should attic insulation be laid?

You should install two layers of insulation in your attic; wood joists must be covered to allow the air to move. The first layer will sit between the joists, and the second layer will run perpendicular over the joists. The first layer should have the facing against the drywall to act as a vapor barrier.
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Which side goes up on insulation?

Picking the right face is essential with fiberglass insulation that has a vapor barrier (meaning with Kraft paper or foil attached on one side). It should always face the warm-in-winter side. Thus, in cold climates, it should face the interior; in hot humid climates, it should face the exterior.
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What happens if insulation is installed backwards?

So if it is installed upside down, the paper moisture barrier can actually keep moisture in-between the paper and the sub-flooring. This can lead to mold issues, as well as structural deterioration. Also, the paper is flammable so not properly installing it can create a fire hazard.
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Which side of insulation board faces out?

If you're wondering whether to put the foil side of foam insulation board shiny side in or out, consider whether you want to make the space inside warmer or cooler. If you want to make the space warmer, the foil should face inside so it can reflect radiant heat back into the room.
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Can you put too much insulation in 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.
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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.
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Does it matter if insulation is faced?

To be effective, the barrier's reflective surface must always face an air space at least an inch thick and be installed shiny side up if laid on the attic floor, shiny side down if attached to the rafters. Tests show that a radiant barrier in an insulated attic can lower attic temperatures by as much as 30 degrees.
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Can insulation be installed upside down?

The Insulation Solution – Encapsulation and Wall Insulation

The vapor barrier should be installed facing the conditioned space (the interior living space of your home). If the insulation was installed upside down, we suggest removing it.
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Is attic insulation faced or unfaced?

Attic Floor Insulation

If you install batting between your attic floor joists, the material should be faced. Since the attic floor is the ceiling of the living space below, the facing installs against the top of the ceiling drywall or plaster.
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What does Faced mean on insulation?

Most types of insulation come as faced. Faced just means that kraft paper is attached to the insulation itself. The paper helps improve the sturdiness of the insulation so it doesn't fall down as much. Unfaced insulation is just as good as faced, but it doesn't have that paper attached to it.
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Should attic insulation have a vapor barrier?

In hot-dry climates a vapor retarder should also not be installed, but attics can be vented. All attics — vented or unvented — should have an air barrier (a properly detailed airtight drywall ceiling, for example) regardless of climate.
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Can you put insulation directly against roof?

All About Roof Flashing

Experts usually advise builders that you can't install fiberglass insulation directly against the underside of roof sheathing.
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Can insulation touch the roof?

We've done some searching and have the answer for you. Attic insulation should not touch the roof. Although it can be tempting to over insulate, resist the urge. Too much insulation hinders airflow and can keep excess moisture from escaping, especially in attics.
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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.
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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.
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What is a good R-value for insulation?

Typical recommendations for exterior walls are R-13 to R-23, while R-30, R-38 and R-49 are common for ceilings and attic spaces. See the Department of Energy's (DOE) ranges for recommended levels of insulation below.
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Which way should the foil face?

See full disclosure. Since aluminum foil has a shiny side and a dull side, many cooking resources say that when cooking foods wrapped or covered with aluminum foil, the shiny side should be down, facing the food, and the dull side up.
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What is the difference between pink and blue foam board?

Both are manufactured using the same process and contain similar chemical components. The two products also have the same insulating power. However, blue foam boards are manufactured by Dow Chemical Co. whereas the pink foam boards are manufactured by Owens Corning company.
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What does the foil do on insulation boards?

Basically, a foil insulation panel works to reduce the heat transfer effect that occurs during thermal radiation. The reflective surface acts as a barrier to reflect the heat from one side of the panel, preventing it from transferring to the other side.
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