Faced Or Unfaced Insulation For Attic

Unfaced insulation can greatly reduce the risk of mold mildew or moisture damage in your house.

Faced or unfaced insulation for attic.

Unfinished or uninsulated attics need a layer of protection against air migration. The insulation can also be used to fill cracks around doors and windows but you ll need to peel off the facing. Faced insulation is used in exterior walls attics finished basements floors and ceilings. Here s what you need to know about the facing on attic insulation.

This is usually kraft paper but sometimes other types of paper can be used. The insulation should be snug in the cavity but not compressed. Climate also dictates how the vapor barrier should be positioned. The facing should aim down toward the living space.

The kraft paper itself is highly flammable. Kraft faced insulation should be installed in exterior walls exterior basement walls and attic ceilings by pressing the product into the wall cavity with the paper side facing outward towards the installer. The same is true for an attic floor. To make things safe cover your unfaced insulation with drywall to prevent the risk of a fire.

To this end you insulate your home. Faced insulation if the attic doesn t have any existing insulation use faced insulation with the paper facing toward. You should only use faced insulation as the first layer of insulation. In crawl spaces unfaced insulation is generally only used when adding to existing insulation.

Unfaced insulation when adding more insulation to an attic that already has insulation use unfaced insulation. The kraft paper on one side of faced insulation keeps moisture from spreading throughout the walls or ceiling. Creating a moisture barrier. Among the many insulation options available for the homeowner there is one that stands above the rest.

Paper faced insulation means that one side of the insulation material comes lined with paper. If you re putting it in an exterior wall the facing is on the interior side of the home where drywall will be laid. Unfaced insulation is just insulation without an attached moisture barrier. You can buy them unfaced or simply remove the paper or foil backing.

If you re using unfaced insulation in an area where a vapor barrier is required or recommended you may be able to add your own barrier using plastic sheeting. Faced insulation has flanges on the outside of the batt that need to be stapled to the wall studs and joists. So in an attic the paper faces downward and in a crawl space it faces upward. Place a new layer of unfaced batts perpendicular to the old layer to cover any gaps in the lower layer.

Any time you use a faced insulation the paper needs to be facing toward the living space. It is stapled to studs and joists unlike unfaced batts. As a result of evaporation people breathing and plant respiration air carries some.