How to Install Cardboard Baffles in Attic
How Should Cardboard Baffles Be Installed in an Attic Area When Blowing In Cellulose Insulation?
- Purchase cardboard baffles that fit snugly between the roof trusses.
- Hold a baffle against the underside of the roof deck, between a pair of trusses that border a soffit vent.
- Fold the front of the baffle downward and push the baffle toward the soffit vent until the...
Full Answer
How do you install baffles in an attic?
Install attic baffles, shaped like long shallow trays, during construction or remodeling to create channels for air to flow from the soffit vents at the bottom of the roof to the vent at its peak. Remove any existing insulation from the roof’s rafter bays.
How do you fix a cardboard baffle in a vent?
If you see insulation, remove the baffle and clear the insulation. Replace the baffle and put a block of hard foam insulation in front of the vent before you spread more loose-fill. Cardboard baffles are available in 4-foot lengths and widths of 14 1/2 or 22 1/2 inches.
How many Attic baffles do I need in my home?
The questions of how many attic baffles you need in your home will come down to several factors: The simple answer is that for every vent you have, the space between rafters to cover every vent should be covered. Multiply that by how many baffles it takes to cover the space between rafters from the bottom to the top of the roof.
How do you insulate rafters with baffles?
Tape the seams between each baffle with a high-quality tape recommended by the baffle manufacturer. Caulk around the edges of each baffle. Repeat the process on each rafter bay. Reinstall insulation in each bay, stapling it to the rafters.
How should attic baffles be installed?
Place your baffles between the rafters, making sure that they do not touch the attic ceiling. Place the first one next to your first soffit vent and staple it right onto the roof deck. If your attic has knee walls on the lower sections, install the baffles where the drywall attaches to the rafters.
Does I need a baffle at every rafter?
Keep in mind not all rafter need baffles, just those with intake vents at the soffit. If you don't have baffles installed, check your intake vents for any type of blockage for insulation or debris. This can be cumbersome since you will need to squeeze to the corners of your attic.
Can I use cardboard for soffit baffles?
Cardboard Baffles are used for ventilation to channel cold and hot air to roof vents and to keep insulation from blocking the soffit area. These baffles are made of cardboard stock that have been slotted and scored and easily installed with staples....Additional information.Weight34 lbsDimensions24 × 26 × 12 in
How do you install baffles on a roof vent?
2:2110:15How To Install Baffle Rafter Vents (Phillips Vision: Episode - 66)YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo now that we've got that done let's go ahead and get. Started. You also want to get a goodMoreSo now that we've got that done let's go ahead and get. Started. You also want to get a good measurement from the eaves vents.
Do you put insulation over baffles?
To completely cover your attic floor with insulation out to the eaves you need to install rafter vents (also called insulation baffles). Complete coverage of the attic floor along with sealing air leaks will ensure you get the best performance from your insulation.
How many baffles go in an attic?
The number of attic baffles depends on how large the vent space is. But generally, a 150-square-foot attic space requires one square attic baffle.
Are cardboard attic baffles good?
The foam baffles hold up in Michigan's humidity, whereas cardboard baffles can absorb moisture causing them to fall and be ineffective. In addition to offering airflow in your attic space, baffles keep attic insulation off your roof deck, which is especially important for cold Michigan winters.
Can I use cardboard as insulation?
As regards to its insulation properties, cardboard is actually a great insulator as it has poor thermal conductivity.
Are baffles in attic necessary?
Attic baffles, or rafter vents, are an essential part of keeping your home well-ventilated and reducing the moisture on top of your house. If you want a well-ventilated attic that doesn't regularly grow mold for you to remove, you'll want to make sure your home is properly aired out.
How much does it cost to install baffles?
Installing baffles at the soffit vents costs $2 to $3 per baffle and is essential to prevent the insulation from blocking airflow. Roof vent installation costs $200 to $700.
Do I need baffles If no soffit vents?
Without them it is actually easier to insulate your attic, because you do not have to worry about covering up the vents or installing rafter baffles to ensure the vents breathe.
Do I need baffles with batt insulation?
The baffles are needed when the insulation, whether it be blown in or batts, gets crammed into a tight spot, for example, where the roof meets the floor joists.
How do you install motorcycle exhaust baffles?
0:372:32QUIET BAFFLE INSTALL - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipScrew. Once removed there will be an allen head bolt holding the baffle. End remove this bolt andMoreScrew. Once removed there will be an allen head bolt holding the baffle. End remove this bolt and slide the baffle.
Can you spray foam over baffles?
Cardboard baffles are a perfect example of a material that does not pair well with spray foam because it will degrade over time and can also collapse during installation.
How do you keep blown in insulation out of soffit vents?
Unfortunately, blow-in insulation can drift into the vents and block the flow of air. The solution is to install rectangular attic baffles, formed to fit between the rafters. Cardboard or thin plastic baffles allow the air to flow into the attic, yet serve as a dam to hold blow-in insulation in the attic.
What are rafter baffles?
Rafter vents, often called baffles protect intake vents in your attic from becoming clogged or covered by insulation or debris. Rafter vents ensure the soffit vents are clear and there is a channel for outside air to move into the attic at the soffits and out through roof vents.
Where should baffles go on a roof?
The baffles should go in between the rafters against the inside of the roof boards. They should extend from the lower soffit end, centered between the rafters, as far up as you expect the insulation to fill in.
Do you have to remove fiberglass insulation before installing baffles?
Your description about the existing fiberglass insulation batts seems to imply that these are installed between the attic rafters. If that is indeed the case I guess you would have to remove those before installing the baffles. If those batts are currently installed all the way up to the top of the rafters then you should remove some of that so that the upper end of your baffles are open to the cold air space where the air above the added cellulose insulation can circulate and travel out through your roof vents, gable vents and/or ridge vents.
What is baffle insulation?
Putting baffles in your attic is a crucial step in installing attic insulation. Sometimes called rafter vents, baffles provide ventilation and keep the insulation from blocking airflow through your attic. It is a fairly easy process that will make a world of difference in assisting your insulation and keeping your home protected from rot, ...
Why do we need insulation in the attic?
An attic needs to be insulated to keep your house warm in the winter and cool in the summer. When you have insulation without ventilation, though, humidity and moisture can build up. This can cause all sorts of problems, from mold to decay.
What to wear when working around insulation?
Whenever you will be working around any insulation, it is important to wear your safety gear (goggles, gloves, dust mask, and coveralls) to prevent irritation to your skin and eyes. If your roof rafters have been covered over with drywall or plywood, you will have to remove it in order to install the baffles.
What is an attic baffle?
In short, attic baffles are chutes that provide a way for air to flow from exterior soffit vents up to your attic. Attic insulation baffles can be made of a variety of materials including: The material is then attached to the top of your attic’s ceiling, below your roof.
What is attic insulation baffle?
Attic insulation baffles will insulate from touching the roof deck, thereby stopping condensation from forming just below your roof, which can lead to damage. And with how expensive attic insulation is, you want to keep it safe!
How do soffits and rafters work?
Soffits and rafter air channels work hand in hand to keep air circulating on top of your home. The chutes work to channel airflow from attic soffit vents, and baffles move the air through the area’s space. Attic insulation baffles will also help keep your home protected from condensation, water damage, and mold.
What is rafter air channel?
Rafter air channels ensure a clear path where outside air can move under the roof, keeping the area aired out. Check if your home has the proper insulation and ventilation. If it doesn’t, and you see condensation building or even mold, it’s time to install attic vents baffles.
Why do soffit vents work?
Your soffit vents work hard to keep your air circulated. This keeps your home cool and safe from condensation and mold. Everywhere that there is an air intake piece (soffit), cool air is being brought into your home. This is so that cooler air outside can replace the hotter air in attics.
Why do you need baffles in the attic?
Attic insulation baffles will also help keep your home protected from condensation, water damage, and mold. There are many benefits to having the right insulation in your attic. Using attic insulation baffles will: Keep your energy bills down. Aid proper insulation. Improve your home’s air quality.
Why are baffles important?
Conclusion — The Importance of Attic Baffles. You may not often visit the top of your house, but it’s an important part of your home. A well-insulated space under your roof will protect you from the elements, while a well-ventilated one will prevent water damage and keep your home cool. Attic vents baffles allow you to have all ...
Is cardboard a risk?
There are flaws in the designs of all these products and most are not long enough to be installed in a single pass. So, I plan to make my own as long as I can be assured that the cardboard itself poses no risk (moisture/mold) as long as it is properly installed.
Is cardboard stiff enough for fiberglass batts?
If you are installing fiberglass batts, then the cardboard is certainly stiff enough -- but you still have all of the inherent disadvantages of fiberglass batts.
Is cardboard baffle strong?
Cardboard is adaptable and plenty strong at the time of install but does not hold up well over time. Styrofoam is too flimsy and require additional work to block the eaves. Site built systems are very labor intensive. I did find a product that installs like a cardboard baffle but is made of fluted plastic.
Can baffles be made out of cardboard?
We just experimented making baffles out of a sheet of cardboard and we think we could create, install, and seal these cardboard baffles in a fraction of the time it would take with other materials.
Can you use polyiso foil in the attic?
1/2” polyiso is used for this all the time. The foil side facing up helps as a radiant barrier to keep the att ic a little cooler, but I wouldn’t use polyiso just for this. Facing the foil down doesn’t do anything if it will be pressed against some other type of insulation since a radiant barrier needs an air gap to work. Polyiso is rigid enough to spray insulation against unless you try to span something a lot more than the standard rafter spacing.