Face Or Unface Insulation In Uninsulated Attic

Kraft faced insulation includes a paper vapor retarder which helps prevent mold and mildew.

Face or unface insulation in uninsulated attic.

As you ve discovered since you already had insulation in your attic the layer of new insulation you added should have been unfaced to prevent moisture from becoming trapped between the layers. Unfaced means the insulation lacks a vapor retarder paper or plastic facing. Faced insulation if the attic doesn t have any existing insulation use faced insulation with the paper facing toward the heated living space. The primary reason to insulate any part of the home is to provide a thermal barrier between conditioned heated or cooled interior space and the outdoors or unheated spaces such as an unfinished.

Faced insulation has flanges on the outside of the batt that need to be stapled to the wall studs and joists. Place a new layer of unfaced batts perpendicular to the old layer to cover any gaps in the lower layer. Unfaced insulation when adding more insulation to an attic that already has insulation use unfaced insulation. Facing is a thin layer of paper or plastic attached to one side of batting insulation which is sold in a roll.

For many contractors the decision to use one kind of insulation over the other depends solely on preference rather than a by the book decision making process. Watch this video to find out more. Whether you choose faced or unfaced insulation for the attic depends on the. 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.

If you re putting it in an exterior wall the facing is on the interior side of the home where drywall will be laid. The same is true for an attic floor. Simply peel the facing paper off the top layer of insulation. Always use unfaced batts both when laying product for the first time and to prevent moisture from becoming trapped between new and old layers of insulation.

The facing should aim down toward the living space.