Can you put insulation over insulation in your attic?
Yes, you absolutely can. You can lay insulation around the junction boxes as well. Making sure that the insulation is of a fiberglass material will not only ensure a fireproof setup but also reduce airflow from the home through the attic. Let’s take a look at what’s involved with insulation around your electrical wires in the attic. Insulation In The Attic. Understanding what type of insulation to use in your attic is key as to whether or not it can cover electrical wiring.
How often do you replace attic insulation?
Insulation begins to degrade in quality and effectiveness at around the 15-year mark. In older homes, there’s a chance your attic insulation has never been replaced and could be badly degraded. If you’ve never had your insulation checked out before, it’s time to get it done.
How to insulate 2x4 rafters?
How to Achieve R-21 in a 2x4 Wall
- Rigid Foam Insulation. One option is to use polyurethane rigid foam insulation; it is available with R-values ranging from R-18 to R-28 at a 3½-inch thickness.
- Open Cell Foam-in-Place Insulation. Another option is to use a foam-in-place technique with open cell polyurethane foam. ...
- Closed Cell Foam-in-Place Insulation. ...
- Considerations. ...
Do you need more attic insulation?
Through a visual inspection, if the floor joists in your attic are visible, you probably need more insulation. Floor joists are the boards spread every 16″ to 24″ across the attic floor about eight inches high. These boards should be completely covered in excess by insulation.
Should I put insulation in the rafters?
The general advice we give is that you should always insulate between and above the rafters (warm roof) or between and under the rafters (cold roof).
Should you insulate the underside of your roof?
roof insulation is no-contest. The floor wins every time. Insulating the floor is standard practice for an unfinished attic space. The exception to this rule takes place when families opt to convert an unfinished attic space into something usable or livable.
Is it worth insulating attic roof?
Should you insulate your attic roof? Insulation is a wise choice to increase the energy efficiency of your home. Quality insulation will make it more cost-effective to heat and cool your home, The Department of Energy's estimates range from a 10% to 50% savings, depending on several factors.
What is the best way to insulate rafters?
3:378:37The Right Way To Insulate: Attics and Cathedral Ceilings with BattsYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipDown between the joists on top of the drywall. And with the facing down toward the interior of theMoreDown between the joists on top of the drywall. And with the facing down toward the interior of the house be careful not to compress the insulation. When you compress insulation.
What part of attic needs insulation?
In finished attic rooms with or without dormers, insulate (2A) between the studs of "knee" walls, (2B) between the studs and rafters of the exterior walls and the roof, (2C) and ceilings with unconditioned spaces above.
What kind of insulation do you use for attic rafters?
Fiberglass, cotton, and mineral wool can all work as loose-fill insulation material, but the far and away top choice for blown-in insulation is fiberglass. Contrary to batts insulation, blown-in fiberglass insulation is perfect for filling in tight voids around wiring, pipes, or any area with awkward framing.
Does attic insulation make a big difference?
One of the places in your home where a little bit of attention can make a big difference in your comfort — and heating bill — is the attic. According to the Department of Energy, properly insulating the attic can save 10 to 50 percent on a typical heating bill.
Is it better to insulate ceiling or roof?
If you are deciding between insulating the roof deck or the ceiling, Insulating your ceiling should be the priority. Not only is it easier but ceiling insulation is beneficial in a number of ways: Keeps the temperature in the building regulated. Saves on energy costs.
How much difference does roof insulation make?
Roof and ceiling insulation. Installing roof and ceiling insulation can save up to 45% (or more) on heating and cooling costs.
Which is better attic insulation blown or rolled?
The Differences Between Blown-in and Rolled Insulation In terms of R-value, they tend to be equal, although you can choose rolled insulation with varying R-values depending on your needs and your budget. The lower the R-value is, the less effective it will be as insulation – although it will be cheaper as well.
Will insulating attic help cool house?
A properly insulated attic can benefit your home in many ways, beside just keeping the home at a comfortable temperature year round. The short answer, yes, insulating the attic is an effective way to keep your home cooler during the summer months.
Is it better to insulate ceiling or roof?
If you are deciding between insulating the roof deck or the ceiling, Insulating your ceiling should be the priority. Not only is it easier but ceiling insulation is beneficial in a number of ways: Keeps the temperature in the building regulated. Saves on energy costs.
Can you insulate the inside of your roof?
Insulating the Roof You may also insulate your roof to help regulate the temperature in an attic that is a part of your living space. Materials commonly used for the insulation of the roof deck include: Rigid Foam Insulation Boards. Radiant Barriers.
Can you put insulation under shingles?
Asphalt shingles and/or asphalt-based underlayment may be damaged or punctured when nailed onto a non-rigid surface such as roofing insulation. Insulation does not have adequate nail-holding ability. Consequently, shingle damage and/or blow-off may occur if shingles are attached to insulation.
Can insulation go against roof?
Attic insulation should not touch the roof. Although it can be tempting to over insulate, resist the urge. Too much insulation hinders airflow and can keep excess moisture from escaping, especially in attics.
How effective is roof insulation?
The winters can get bitterly cold here in Tennessee, and the summers can get blistering hot. This means the cooling and heating system in your home has to work hard to keep your home comfortable. One of the best things you can do to help that is with roof insulation .
What thickness should roof insulation be?
For keeping your home cool in the summer and warm in the winter, the higher the R-Value, the better the insulation performance. Remember, you’re not only insulating the attic for temperature purposes, but you also need your roof insulation to stop condensation too.
Do you need an air gap for insulation?
Yes, an air gap for insulation is a must in order to get the benefits of emitting heat, or a reflectivity quality, meaning the air gap provides radiant heat. Without an air gap, radiant heat will not exist, because it has been eliminated by closing off the gap.
Closing Words
If you’re looking for ways to keep your home comfortable and your energy bills reasonable, then consider getting quotes on roof insulation or wall insulation, or both from Burell Built Roofing, LLC by calling 865-238-2628. They each will keep the cool air inside during the summer and the warmed air inside during the winter.
What are the rafters on a roof called?
On the floor they're called "joists", on the roof they're called "rafters".
How much foam is used for hybrid batts?
Some folks are selling and marketing hybrid systems (flash and batt) in northern climates with 3/4 to 1 inch of foam followed by fiberglass that has a vapor retarder facing.
How thick is spray foam?
If you're in Zone 4, there is no minimum foam thickness, because condensation problems are unlikely in Zone 4. That said, it's hard to spray an even 1/2-inch layer of spray foam. Anyone who tries probably ends up with an uneven layer that varies from 1/8 or 1/4 inch to 3/4 or 1 inch.
Can you insulate a sloped roof with spray foam?
1. Unlike Dana, I don't recommend that you violate building codes. If you want to insulate a sloped roof assembly on the interior with a combination of spray foam and air-permeable insulation, the spray foam layer has to meet certain minimum R-value levels, as described in this article: How to Build an Insulated Cathedral Ceiling.
Do you need to insulate the roof joists?
I think the thing I’ve learned is that if your not going to finish the attic area and the walls to the finished room are insulated you don’t have to insulate the roof joist, but you do need to insulate in between the floor joist and the finished walls.
Can you insulate at the rafters?
Yes, you can insulate at the rafters, but it's more complicated. https://www.greenbuildingadvisor.com/blogs/dept/musings/how-build-insulated-cathedral-ceiling. http://greenbuildingadvisor.vip.tauntonnet.com/community/forum/energy-efficiency-and-durability/23272/unvented-attic-open-cell-spray-foam.
Does spray foam need to be R value?
If contractors in your area are using the flash-and-batt method to insulate unvented roof assemblies, then the layer of spray foam has to follow the minimum R-value requirements that I have explained.
Why vent attic space during summer?
Venting the attic space during summer to cool the house
Do spray foam roof shingles get hotter?
they spray foam these units all the time - I agree with you - the roof/shingles get hotter reducing the lifetime of both. Not too mention what happens with a leak - you don't know until your whole roof is full of mold!
Can you vent an attic?
You should not. Because the attic is vented, the upper insulation does almost nothing. In the summer at the attic will get much hotter than it does now, increasing cooling costs.
How to determine R value of insulation?
Grab a tape measure and a flashlight to see what kind of insulation you already have in the attic and how deep it is. Then use the numbers in the chart at right to estimate its R-value. Pull up and dispose of any material that's compressed, water stained, or moldy—it's useless.
What is low clearance attic?
Low-clearance attics with limited headroom for maneuvering during installation
How to cover gaps in a batt?
Place a new layer of unfaced batts perpendicular to the old layer, to cover any gaps in the lower layer. Adjoining batts should be butted snugly together, but not tight enough to compress them.
When did the federal tax credits for weatherizing your house expire?
Most federal tax credits for weatherizing your house and boosting its energy efficiency expired in 2011. But your state's energy office or local utility may offer product rebates, discounts, or other financial incentives for insulating. See a state-by-state directory of such programs here.
Can insulation fibers be blown in place?
Insulation fibers are packaged in bags and blown in place to the desired depth and density using special machinery you can rent from a home center. You can pour the fill in place and spread it manually, but the process is much more labor-intensive and the results won't be nearly as good.
Do you need an electrician to insulate electrical boxes?
Note: If you have to insulate around electrical boxes or cables, then support from an electrician might be needed as part of the process too.
Is it better to insulate your attic?
Insulating Your Attic Can Save You Money. There's no getting around it: If your house is in a cold climate, keeping it warm in winter is expensive. The Department of Energy predicts that prices for natural gas and heating oil will rise again this winter compared with last—and that's after a year in which heating-oil prices rose sharply in most ...
How to insulate attic rafters?
In part 7, you'll learn how to insulate the attic rafters. Working on your knees in an attic for long periods of time can be very hot and tiring. You will be covered from head to toe in clothing and gear. Plan for a few breaks in your work schedule and try to work early in the morning, before it gets too hot.
Can you rent an air compressor?
A time- and work-saving aid here would be an air compressor with a staple-gun attachment. It can be rented, if you don't have access to one.
Do you need to insulate rafters?
You should only insulate your rafters if you have baffles installed to separate the actual rafters themselves from the insulation. Attic baffles, also known as rafter vents, go along the sides of your attic and keep your soffit vents from being blocked by insulation.
What is the best way to keep the attic cold?
Ideally you want a "cold" attic - lots of insulation between the ceiling and the attic, and no insulation between the attic and the roof, along with plenty of soffit and ridge vents to keep the air circulating up there.
Why does my roof turn ice?
The point of allowing airflow to reach the outside is so hot air can escape. If it doesn't escape then it will heat up the roof/rafters and cause snow to melt and then turn to ice. This can damage your roof in a number of ways. Also, moisture will be trapped in the attic and can cause mold or damage to the structure.
Can moisture be trapped in the attic?
Also, moisture will be trapped in the attic and can cause mold or damage to the structure. I believe the optimum way to insulate your attic is to insulate the floor of the attic very well but allow the air above that to escape (ie. insulate the ceiling of the attic poorly) Share. Improve this answer.
Can you vent a cathedral attic?
There is another type called the CATHEDRALIZED ATTIC, which is where the insulation is put on the underside of the roof itself. CATHEDRALIZED ATTICS SHOULD NOT BE VENTED. Since it sounds like you have cathedralized your attic, you should not install soffit/eave vents or baffles.
Why is moisture buildup in the attic a concern?
Moisture buildup in the attic is a concern because it can condense into water, often causing mold. Good ventilation, from soffit vents and a ridge vent, will stop that. Soffit vents are in the under part of the roof overhang. The only time when insulation is installed between rafters is when Icynene is used, and everything, except the attic floor, ...
Can you heat a family room with a gas fireplace?
That super-hot pipe is a smokestack, so leave it alone. You can heat the family room with a portable electric heater or a gas fireplace with a power exhaust right through the wall. If the family room is an addition, the cool room is due to a furnace that is too small to handle the extra space created by the addition.
Is icynene insulation effective?
It is against traditional thought, but apparently it is effective. It is very expensive, and any payback from what you will save in fuel costs will take decades to accomplish.
