Faced Or Unfaced Insulation For Attic Floor

The facing should aim down toward the living space.

Faced or unfaced insulation for attic floor.

When to use faced or unfaced attic insulation attic insulation is available with and without a paper facing. The facing contains a thin layer of asphalt which acts as a vapor barrier to block moisture. Unlike unfaced insulation faced insulation has a vapor retarder that keeps moisture out. Paper faced insulation means that one side of the insulation material comes lined with paper.

Because the simplest and cheapest way to insulate an attic is to add material to the floor. That s how the barrier is made effective. Plan to pull up the flooring and layer new insulation on top of the old. It s important to use the right type of insulation to prevent moisture problems in your attic.

This is usually kraft paper but sometimes other types of paper can be used. The same is true for an attic floor. The primary function of the vapor retarder is to keep moisture from spreading within the walls and throughout the house. The purpose and way to apply is basically the same.

Any time you use a faced insulation the paper needs to be facing toward the living space. For this reason faced insulation is typically installed on the warm in winter side of the wall. So in an attic the paper faces downward and in a crawl space it faces upward. More often than not faced insulation is made out fiberglass.

If a moisture barrier is required or recommended in your climate zone you will want to use the faced board again reflective facing is a good choice to insulate your walls. Facing is a thin layer of paper or plastic attached to one side of batting insulation which is sold in a roll. Like blanket or batt insulation foam board comes in faced and unfaced varieties. But if the floor is covered in plywood you can t stuff enough insulation beneath it to do the job sufficiently not even in warm climates.

Faced insulation is a familiar type of insulation that often comes in rolls or batts and gets stapled to joists or other beams. Whether you choose faced or unfaced insulation for the attic depends on the. In other words the facing usually faces in toward the living space or into the attic or basement area in unfinished attics and basements. Faced or the type with paper is typically used in first time applications such as in walls ceilings floors and in crawl spaces.