Why Not Insulate The Top Of The Attic

Find out why you must first put down insulation before you put down plywood in your attic.

Why not insulate the top of the attic.

If the air distribution system is not within the conditioned space but within the attic insulating the rafters will enclose the distribution system. So insulating the floor of the attic is not only the best solution but it is also the simplest and cheapest. Plan to pull up the flooring and layer new insulation on top of the old. Stop using your attic for storage.

Finally if you live in a hot or warm climate consider installing a radiant barrier in your attic to reduce summer heat gain. Warm insulation is installed on the underside of the roof deck at the top of the attic just below the roof decking. Because the moving air is in the ductwork for only a short period of time it does not need the insulation r value the attic floor requires. 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.

Energy star recommendations for ductwork are based on where the home is located and what type of heating system the home has. An unfinished attic is an attic that is not considered part of the living space. Other than that the high air pressure at the top of the house will create low pressure at the bottom. They are the easiest to insulate because the insulation is installed between the framing members or joints of the floor according to the.

Insulating an unfinished attic is a simple diy project. The insulation on the floor prevents this heat from coming down into the main part of the house that you are trying to cool by having the windows open or the air conditioning running. Insulating an unfinished attic can be a simple diy project. Because the simplest and cheapest way to insulate an attic is to add material to the floor.

When you have warm insulation the attic space is kept warm in the winter as the heat from the furnace can reach it. This is what energy experts call the stack effect. When you insulate the attic you do not insulate the roof. Therefore the heat from the sun penetrates the roof during the summer and it can become unbearably hot.

In practical terms you can choose between mineral wool or insulation boards. Flexible ductwork comes with different insulation r values. If you do not use the attic much it is pointless heating this area. Not sealing attic air leaks first no amount of insulation is going to help if you don t seal your attic properly says olson.

Before you insulate your attic read these pre insulation steps first.