Attic Insulation Tips Diy

It doesn t require any special skills but will require you to crouch under low sloping attic rafters in order to distribute the.

Attic insulation tips diy.

The attic is the easiest place to add insulation to improve your comfort and the energy efficiency of your home. Loose fill or batt the common term for blanket insulation. However most older attics are under insulated so it s a good idea to raise the r value where possible. In attics vapor barrier on insulation should face down toward the living space.

If it is installed incorrectly with the vapor barrier facing up then the insulation will trap moisture causing possible water problems. Blown in cellulose has a higher r rating and is less expensive than either blown insulation like fiberglass attic insulation or fiberglass batts. Statistics show that 85 percent of a house s heat loss is straight up through the attic space. However blowing insulation into an attic can be a diy task.

A finished attic should be insulated much like the rest of the house with insulation in the walls and ceiling. Either way the house is probably wasting energy and the homeowners money. Blown in cellulose is an environmentally friendly material made from recycled newspaper so it s easier on your skin and lungs. Cellulose blown in ceiling insulation is a good choice for diyers.

Both can be added to uninsulated attics or layered over existing material. Cost effective way to save energy with this old house general contractor tom silva. Now that you ve air sealed your attic and basement check your attic insulation levels and add more if necessary. See below for a shopping list and tools subscribe to this old house.

Check the attic to make sure the insulation is installed properly. Houses built before the energy crunch in the early 70s might just have a little bit of fiberglass insulation in the attic or empty cavities between the joists. Once you ve decided which type is best for you examine the material options and prices to home in on the right product. For most of us installing spray foam insulation in their attic is just not a diy project and it is too costly for your average homeowner.

For diy attic insulation you ve got two choices.