My Attic Has No Insulation

To see how to add insulation out to the eaves see installing rafter vents.

My attic has no insulation.

Thick insulation between 14 and 18 inches is what is needed in most cases but that s not all. Attic ceiling to stop airborne moisture from reaching a cold surface and condensing inside the building envelope. Preferably some at the top of the roof and some at the bottom. Install batting between the roof rafters for finished attic spaces.

Old homes rarely have anything near that. If your attic insulation covers your joists and is distributed evenly you probably have enough. Sometimes there is enough insulation in the middle of the attic and very little along the eaves. Attic ventilation depending on the size of the home be sure there is plenty of roof vents.

Loose fill or batt the common term for blanket insulation. When using insulation that has either paper or plastic facing. Unvented attic assemblies unvented attics rely on an air impermeable insulation installed to the roof deck s underside i e. Unless your roofing system has insulation on the roofing deck and is designed without ventilation your furnace should not be heating your attic.

Both can be added to uninsulated attics or layered over existing material. If you are installing a new roof consider a drip edge vent. Poor insulation is usually the culprit although if you enter the attic on sunny winter day your attic space can be warmed by the sun more than your furnace. You are unable to keep the hot air from getting into the attic because there is no insulation to protect the attic from the hot air.

Attic insulation r 50 is now the code. Install low gable vents located above the top level of the attic ceiling insulation use eye brow vents that are on the top of the sloping roof surface near the soffit eave area. You can use either faced or unfaced batting for this installation. Once you ve decided which type is best for you examine the material options and prices to home in on the right product.

For diy attic insulation you ve got two choices. Inspect the attic if your attic is not sufficiently vented you probably won t have to look very hard to find signs. They include rafters and ceiling joists that are damp or blackened with mold.