
Here are your top insulation choices for unvented sloped ceilings:
- Install 7 inches of spray foam on the underside of the roof sheathing and leave the rest of the rafter cavity open.
- Install 4 inches of spray foam on the underside of the roof sheathing and fill the rest of the cavity with fiberglass...
- Install rigid foam above the roof sheathing and fiberglass batts...
Full Answer
How do you insulate unvented sloped ceilings?
Insulating Unvented Sloped Ceilings Here are your top insulation choices for unvented sloped ceilings: Install 7 inches of spray foam on the underside of the roof sheathing and leave the rest of the rafter cavity open. Install 4 inches of spray foam on the underside of the roof sheathing and fill the rest of the cavity with fiberglass batts.
How much insulation do I need for a flat ceiling?
Best Insulation for Flat Ceilings. Also, plan to ventilate the space with intake vents and cupolas. Then, install 12 to 16 inches of blown-in fiberglass or cellulose, leaving at least 6 inches between the insulation and the roof sheathing for ventilation purposes.
How do you insulate a flat roof without an attic?
Install rigid foam above the roof sheathing and fiberglass batts between the rafters. If your home or business has a flat ceiling with no attic space, it’s critical to air seal any ceiling penetrations before installing insulation. Also, plan to ventilate the space with intake vents and cupolas.
What is the best way to insulate a cathedral ceiling?
Sloped or cathedral ceilings are often found in great rooms. The ceiling is vaulted at an angle, and there’s no attic space above the ceiling. According to Green Building Advisor, the best way to insulate the ceiling depends on whether you have a ventilated or unvented roof assembly.

How do you insulate a slanted ceiling?
0:403:46Sloped ceiling, vaulted ceiling, cathedral ceiling how to ... - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo if you are able to access the other side of this slope ceiling within the attic. Then you're ableMoreSo if you are able to access the other side of this slope ceiling within the attic. Then you're able to add insulation. So loose fill on top of all those cavities in between the sheets of insulation.
What is the best way to insulate a vaulted ceiling?
Best Way to Insulate Cathedral CeilingCellulose insulation can be installed in your cathedral ceiling, but it can be a tricky installation.Fiberglass insulation is the next option for your cathedral ceiling.Spray foam is another option for your cathedral ceiling, more specifically open cell spray foam.
Do vaulted ceilings have insulation?
Often vaulted ceilings are not insulated correctly. For years, fiberglass batt insulation was the only way to insulate vaulted ceilings. Over time, fiberglass batts can slide out of place and compromise your home's energy efficiency. When insulating a vaulted ceiling, R-value and moisture management must be addressed.
Do you need an air gap for insulation?
Insulation is technically a solid with a lot of air in it therefore, it is NOT an air gap. You literally must have a VOID, nothing in the air gap except air itself. So if you are installing under a roof or in a wall, you must create an air gap.
What type of insulation is used for vaulted ceilings?
Most home contractors would probably tell you that the best insulation to use for a vaulted ceiling is fiberglass insulation. The main reasons are that fiberglass is one of the most inexpensive types of insulation that you can purchase, and fiberglass batts are relatively easy to install in vaulted ceilings.
How do you insulate a house with vaulted ceilings?
5:248:37The Right Way To Insulate: Attics and Cathedral Ceilings with BattsYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIf the insulation you're using is thicker than the joist space then you must install baffles overMoreIf the insulation you're using is thicker than the joist space then you must install baffles over the entire length of the roof deck surface to allow for ventilation of the roof.
Can you spray foam insulate a vaulted ceiling?
Vaulted Ceiling Insulation: Consider Your Choices Solutions include pricier, thinner batts, with a higher insulating factor made especially for vaulted ceilings, such as blown cellulose, or, more recently, spray foam insulation-an insulation that was specifically designed with hard-to-reach places in mind.
Does a vaulted ceiling need to be vented?
A vaulted roof offers open living space directly below the rafters because there are no horizontal ceiling joists. Although there is no separate attic to vent, air circulation is still necessary to prevent heat from building up between the underside of the roof deck and the interior drywall finish.
Do you have to insulate a cathedral ceiling?
Cathedral ceilings are beautiful, but they must be properly insulated to keep ceiling temperatures closer to room temperatures. To do this, the cathedral ceiling must be built with space between the roof deck and your home's ceiling for adequate insulation and ventilation.
Do you leave a gap between roof and insulation?
It is important that air is allowed to circulate between the roof covering and the insulation to avoid condensation - a gap of at least 50mm (2 inch) must be left between the insulation and the inside of the roof covering.
Can I insulate between rafters?
Warm loft. An alternative way to insulate your loft is to fit the insulation between and over the rafters – these are the sloping timbers that make up the roof itself. You can use rigid insulation boards, carefully cut to size, or you can have foam insulation sprayed between the rafters.
Can insulation touch the roof?
The airflow from the soffits to the ridge vent keeps the roof cool and prevents ice dams, and the material will block that flow. For the same reason, insulation shouldn't touch the roof's underside. Staple plastic or foam baffles to the roof sheathing, near the eaves, to keep the material away.
Can you insulate a loft?
If you have a loft, it is easy to insulate the joists or the rafters. It is something you can even DIY if you want to. Often however, people have a sloping ceiling, with no loft space at all. This makes insulation a lot more tricky, and indeed expensive, but if you want to bring your home up to standard, then it leaves you with little option.
Is it worth insulating a sloping roof?
Although the cost of insulating a sloping roof is fairly high (you are probably looking at several thousand pounds for a whole house with this type of roof), the savings will be great. Chances are the roof has little insulation, and the savings are going to be big – £300 a year would be a good estimate for the average house. That means payback in 10-15 years – not too bad when you put it into the context of other big home improvement works.
Is my sloping ceiling insulated?
The first thing you can do is to consider the build age and any renovation works that have taken place. Most properties built in the 70’s or earlier will not have any insulation in the roof. Anything built or renovated after 1980 may well have some insulation, but it is not until the last 20 years that you can be fairly sure that the sloping roof is insulated.
Can you insulate a cathedral ceiling?
The ceiling is vaulted at an angle, and there’s no attic space above the ceiling. According to Green Building Advisor , the best way to insulate the ceiling depends on whether you have a ventilated or unvented roof assembly.
Do you need to seal a flat ceiling before installing insulation?
If your home or business has a flat ceiling with no attic space, it’s critical to air seal any ceiling penetrations before installing insulation. Also, plan to ventilate the space with intake vents and cupolas.
