Insulate Attic Roof Rafters

If the plastic sheeting is in pieces overlap the pieces by 8 inches and staple it in place directly to the roof rafters and the wall.

Insulate attic roof rafters.

Install ventilation baffles into the space between the rafters before you install the insulation usually by stapling into place. This construction approach was first used in the 1970s and it has been implemented much more widely since it was first included in the international code council s icc model building code in 2007 irc section 806 4. Do not use plastic sheeting in this case. If you re using the attic for living space then you need to insulate the rafters.

If there is a floor you will need to remove it to properly insulate the roof rafters. 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 often used or perhaps you plan to convert it in the future you will need to insulate the inner surfaces of the roof. For rolled insulation location it in between roof covering rafters.

Although the paper or foil backing of the insulation is a vapor barrier the added visquine covers completely with no breaks making sure no moisture forms in the cavity. That s because it s easier for the contractor to spray than clean up existing insulation deal with any can lights or venting etc. You can use rigid foam panels or do as tom silva does with nearly all houses these days. Most unvented attics incorporate spray polyurethane foam spf on the underside of the roof deck and attic walls.

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. Attic moisture problems are often the result of heated air from the living space rising up into the attic which is not heated. Visquine a painter s drop cloth over the insulation and across the face of the rafters. Usually you will certainly fill the insulation blower with the insulation and blow it between the attic floor joists.

Whether or not there is an inner roof lining and the total thickness of the roof structure. If you re not do the attic floor. Place the plastic sheeting on top of the rolled insulation. Make sure it is flush against the wood as also a 1 inch gap can create a 20 percent heating loss.

The technically correct approach depends on a number of factors. If your attic is going to be converted into livable space then you will need to insulate the roof rafters. Consumers are often told by spray foam contractors to do the rafters.