Before insulating seal any air leaks and make roof and other necessary repairs.
How to insulate a attic roof.
Insulating the roof is a priority if the ceilings of your home happen to be part of the roof deck as is the case with cathedral ceilings.
You may also insulate your roof to help regulate the temperature in an attic that is a part of your living space.
Box out light fixtures.
Insulate your attic to keep your heating and cooling from going through the roof along with your monthly budget.
Look for water stains on the roof sheathing or damp or moldy spots on attic joists and existing insulation as a clue to where leaks might be.
The technically correct approach depends on a number of factors.
Water is insulation s enemy.
If you re finishing your attic insulating it to the proper r value can cause a dramatic loss of headroom if you limit yourself to fiberglass batts.
If you have a solid floor covering the roof rafters use the claw end of a hammer to pull the floor up in several locations and blow the insulation under the boards.
With a finished attic insulation must help keep the attic areas comfortable.
It creates a breeding ground for mold and mildew and ruins the air trapping pockets that block heat flow.
How to insulate a finished attic.
Then blow another layer on top of the roof rafters.
Whether or not there is an inner roof lining and the total thickness of the roof structure.
Materials commonly used for the insulation of the roof deck include.
Insulate and air seal any knee walls vertical walls with attic space directly behind them in your home as well.
Typically you will fill the insulation blower with the insulation and blow it between the attic floor joists.
By steven fox photo.
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.
That means insulating the attic floor only not the walls and having vents in the roof.
To meet all three goals insulating your finished attic ventilating the roof and maximizing headroom use a combination of dense batt insulation rigid foam sheeting and air chutes.