Should You Insulate Attic Roof Rafters

If you re considering turning your attic into conditioned storage or living space it s worth changing tactics to insulate between the rafters and wall joists instead of the floor.

Should you insulate attic roof rafters.

In this way you prevent the heat from the rooms below escaping to the attic rooms above. If you do not use the attic much it is pointless heating this area. You can add insulation to the floor. When choosing unfaced batting insulation for rafters you must staple sheets of plastic over the batting to accomplish the necessary moisture barrier.

Usually you will certainly fill the insulation blower with the insulation and blow it between the attic floor joists. If you re using the attic for living space then you need to insulate the rafters. Hire a pro to install spray foam insulation. Insulating the attic floor.

Air movement is critical in the attic so. If you re not do the attic floor. You can use rigid foam panels or do as tom silva does with nearly all houses these days. If you live in the south you should consider putting in a radiant barrier in the attic.

In order to avoid damage to the roof deck you should insulate ceilings to create an air barrier between the living space and an unfinished attic or airspace underneath the roof deck. If your attic is going to be converted into livable space then you will need to insulate the roof rafters. For rolled insulation location it in between roof covering rafters. Make sure it is flush against the wood as also a 1 inch gap can create a 20 percent heating loss.

But the best solution is actually to insulate both the attic floor and the underside of the roof. At the same time the areas below the roof benefit from increased comfort both during the winter and the summer. If you have vents in the walls of the attic or in the roof ridge then the insulation can go all the way to the roof. This will have the best return on investment if you live in an area with more than 2000 cooling degree days.

Install ventilation baffles into the space between the rafters before you install the insulation usually by stapling into place. Attic moisture problems are often the result of heated air from the living space rising up into the attic which is not heated. Consumers are often told by spray foam contractors to do the rafters. That s because it s easier for the contractor to spray than clean up existing insulation deal with any can lights or venting etc.

The idea is to allow some air to circulate through some part of the attic under the roof but outside the insulation to prevent moisture build up.