Should insulation in attic be paper up or down?
Regardless of whether fiberglass insulation is installed in a wall, attic, or crawlspace; the paper facing should always face toward the inside of the home. That’s because the paper contains a layer of asphalt adhesive which prevents water vapor from passing through it.
Do you leave paper on insulation?
Fiberglass Insulation In most climates, it needs a vapor barrier. Some builders rely on batts with attached kraft-paper facing to do that job, but Tom recommends unfaced batts, covered in plastic with all the seams taped shut.
Can you double up on attic insulation?
Doubling the thickness of insulation will double the insulation’s R-value, cutting heat loss in half. Each time the insulation layer is doubled in thickness, this rule applies. In some cases, like an attic, it’s worth piling on more insulation because there is plenty of room.
Does it matter if insulation is installed upside down?
Insulation should have its paper side installed towards the inside of the home. So if it is installed upside down, the paper moisture barrier can actually keep moisture in-between the paper and the sub-flooring. This can lead to mold issues, as well as structural deterioration.
Which way does insulation go in the attic?
The first layer should have the facing against the drywall to act as a vapor barrier. (The general rule for insulation is that the facing always goes toward the conditioned space.) The second layer of insulation should be unfaced so that moisture doesn’t collect between the layers.
What does the paper backing on insulation do?
Kraft-faced insulation includes a paper vapor retarder, which helps prevent mold and mildew. Kraft-faced insulation should be installed in exterior walls, exterior basement walls, and attic ceilings by pressing the product into the wall cavity with the paper side facing outward, towards the installer.
Can paper faced insulation be left exposed?
A. Leaving the paper and/or foil facing of insulation exposed is prohibited by International Residential Code (IRC), which is the most common building code adopted and used in the United States for one and two family dwellings and townhouses.
Can you stack insulation on top of each other?
Yes. For example, two R-19 batts can be stacked on each other to create R-38 insulation. You also can add loose-fill insulation on top of a bottom layer of batts.
Can you stack faced insulation?
Can you put faced insulation over faced insulation? No, faced insulation should not be added over existing insulation since the vapor retarder on top of or between layers of insulation can trap moisture.
Which side of foam insulation faces out?
If you’re wondering whether to put the foil side of foam insulation board shiny side in or out, consider whether you want to make the space inside warmer or cooler. If you want to make the space warmer, the foil should face inside so it can reflect radiant heat back into the room.