Difference Between Attic And Wall Insulation

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

Difference between attic and wall insulation.

The type of insulation you need depends on which type is currently installed and the required r value. Unfaced means the insulation lacks a vapor retarder paper or plastic facing. Residential insulation is designed for the four main areas of your home. Achieving greater r values in attics the higher the r value the better the thermal performance of the insulation.

Ceiling walls underfloor and between floor areas. Some installations can yield a higher r value than traditional batt insulation for the same thickness and can fill even the smallest cavities creating an effective air barrier. However in the balmy florida panhandle with climate zones 1 and 2 insulating attics from r 30 to r 60 is ideal since good winter insulation isn t critical but. In other words i see pink.

This cotton candy like insulation earns its r value by trapping air in between tiny fibers. Insulation is designed specifically for each area to ensure it fits the required stud spacing s cavity depth and thermal ratings r values. These tiny air pockets slow down heat as it tries to pass through the insulation. Fiberglass rock wool and cellulose fiber insulation are the most common materials used in blown in projects.

Find your zone on the map and then use the chart to determine the level of insulation you need to properly insulate your attic walls floors and crawlspaces. Foam in place insulation can be blown into walls on attic surfaces or under floors to insulate and reduce air leakage. This installation technique keeps the insulation materials loose and crumbly allowing air pockets to naturally form between the fibers. For example an attic should have insulation quality and volume that is rated between r 49 and r 60 in zone 7 regions like buffalo new york where it gets downright icy in the winter.

A blower machine allows the installer to place the materials precisely where they need to be. The most common insulation materials are fiberglass cellulose and foam. Also it is an unfinished extra room. If the attic doesn t have any insulation use faced insulation with the vapor barrier facing toward the living space and cut the batts to fit in the space between the ceiling joists.

If the attic already has a layer of insulation up to the top of the joists use unfaced insulation with the new batts installed perpendicular to the joists. On the attic floor i wan to lay some flooring and a small walkway. Insulation types include loose fill batts rolls foam board spray board and vapor barriers. I want to cover the insulation with a thin layer of plywood or paneling on the walls of the stairway going up to the attic.