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Topic: Insulation in attic
 In an unfinished attic, jeffe_verde writes: Sat, 12/23/2006 - 1:55pm
In an unfinished attic, insulation always goes above the ceiling, between the joists (the point is to keep the room below warm/cool, right?). In hot, sunny areas, insulation may be placed between the rafters (the underside of the roof), to reduce the heat buildup in the attic and it's transfer into the rooms below.
Be sure to use either vapor barrier backed batting, or install a plastic sheeting vapor barrier before installing the batting. This prevents warm, moist air from escaping through the ceiling and condensing in the insulation. Conversely, be sure NOT to use vapor barrier if installing insulation on the underside of the roof. The insulation should be pushed all the way into the joint of the rafters and joists, but be sure not to block the eave vents. If you've got enclosed eaves with a strip vent, there are plastic baffles pieces designed to be stapled between the rafters along the bottom of the roof to maintain proper air flow. This is especially important in snow areas to help prevent ice dams from forming along the bottom of the roof Finally, be sure to maintain the appropriate clearance between the insulation and any ceiling light fixtures! This is typically 3", unless the fixture is specifically IC (insulation-contact) rated.
attic insulation mary_lou_is writes: Thu, 01/11/2007 - 8:26pm
I live in an old house (circa 1890) that is wood clapboard with NO insulation throughout. The attic is unfinished with wood floors and is a great storage space. The roof is slate over oak rafters. I want to insulate under the wood flooring in the 1 foot space between the plaster ceiling below and the floor. I live in West Virginia and need a 38R insulation. What is the best type insulation (fiberglass or cellulose) and will this one foot depth be adequate? I really can't afford to lose any of the storage space this attic provides. Also, would it be beneficial to insulate the roof at the rafters? I would leave the soffits clear for ventilation. Any help will be greatly appreciated.
re:Insulation roxy4022 writes: Fri, 01/26/2007 - 2:10pm
Insulation doesn't go on the above ceiling under where the singles are it lays on top of rafters above the ceiling from like your bedroom. Just roll it out and cut it. Make sure you walk on the wood rafters only, being sure not to step on the plaster or drywall part and wear a mask.
my bedroom attic mypaperxin writes: Tue, 03/06/2007 - 2:56pm
I laid it out above the floor of the attic and it seems to work for me. Besides the mask, don't forget to wear gloves...the insulation stuff is itchy!
 Be careful kabbak1 writes: Sun, 03/11/2007 - 4:33pm
Please be careful with installing insulation yourself. Prior to purchasing my current home, the previous homeowners added insulation to the attic at the urging of the home inspector. Unfortunately, in the process he did a lot of things wrong - plugging the soffet vents, bathroom vents, etc and caused a lot of moisture damage in the attic which has led to my needing to have my attic completely cleaned out of all insulation, dried out, cleared of mold buildup and reinsulated. Just please be careful and do your research before tackling a big project like this one.
 I can not be near Green Talk writes: Thu, 06/07/2007 - 6:54am
I can not be near regular fiberglass insulation. I break out and have a coughing fit. Two ideas for the itchy stuff: Bonded Logic is a cotton insulation made out of denim jeans. See http://bondedlogic.com/ You could sleep on this stuff. Comes in R13 and 19. It is more expensive to buy but you can do the job yourself.
John Manville has a insulation called comfort therm and you can buy it at Lowes. It is totally encapsulated but it is for regular spaces (ie you would have to rip it to fit in odd spaces). See this news release on the R38 they have for cathedral and other sloped sites (http://www.jm.com/insulation/news/345.htm)
Both products do not contain formaldyhyde.
I have used cellulose and found that it settles a little, but otherwise is a good product. If you need to get back into that wall in the future, it can be a little messly. You can have a professional spray it in existing walls and just spackle up the holes after they are done.
Hope this helps. anna hackman, www.green-talk.com
how about putting insulation on the attic floor AND attic ceilin reneauds writes: Thu, 09/27/2007 - 11:03pm
how about putting insulation on the attic floor AND attic ceiling rafters under the tile roof? i'm just thinking if it will really keep the attic and thus the house cool.
Thank you Greentalk for the websites and the other info. I was sunnyewe writes: Tue, 10/16/2007 - 9:09pm
watching Toolbelt Diva and other such shows and they had talked about blue jeans for insulation. I thought that would serve myself well becuase I have allergies,sinus and hayfever. I want to insulate my closet in my bedroom and I'd rather put the blue jeans in there than that insulation. Thanx again.
My attic is finished and is hot in the summer and c-c-cold in sunnyewe writes: Tue, 10/16/2007 - 9:02pm
the winter. I wanted to do the work myself but this info is new about blocking things. Menards is selling the blown in kind of insulation and offering the blowing machine free with purchase. I'll ask at the store and research prices for professionals. Thank you all for your help.;)
insulation Allison1888 writes: Tue, 10/28/2008 - 8:54am
We added insulation in our attic under the roof and it has made a huge difference. Even in the summer, we didn't need the air conditioning as much. Here's a link to an article with a diagram. Hope this helps.
http://www.oldhouseweb.com/stories/Detailed/14739.shtml
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It depends...
Heidi writes:
Wed, 11/15/2006 - 6:21pm
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