Insulation, Radiant and Vapor Barriers - loose fill and attic air vents
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Frogster
11-06-06, 03:23 PM
Hi,
I live in a 1972 townhouse in Maryland and I have an unfinished attic to which I would like to add proper insulation (up to R-49). I currently have maybe 3 inches of blown-in material (probably cellulose) and there is no vapor barrier underneath.
I would like to add blown-in cellulose. I may have it done by a contractor.
I have a 2 questions:
[1] There is currently no barrier to prevent the loose fill from reaching the attic vents. Is it necessary to attic rafter vents/baffles first? I was talking to a contractor (he hasn't seen the house) and he was saying we could just install batts parallel to the vents to act as a barrier. Does this sound OK?
[2] I was thinking I would have to remove the current insulation first to install a vapor barrier. The contractor said I did not need a vapor barrier. I should save money by just adding new cellulose to the top of the existing material. Is it OK to just add loose fill to the current stuff? I realize this question has been asked before but I've seen different answers.
Thanks in advance
Peter
I live in a 1972 townhouse in Maryland and I have an unfinished attic to which I would like to add proper insulation (up to R-49). I currently have maybe 3 inches of blown-in material (probably cellulose) and there is no vapor barrier underneath.
I would like to add blown-in cellulose. I may have it done by a contractor.
I have a 2 questions:
[1] There is currently no barrier to prevent the loose fill from reaching the attic vents. Is it necessary to attic rafter vents/baffles first? I was talking to a contractor (he hasn't seen the house) and he was saying we could just install batts parallel to the vents to act as a barrier. Does this sound OK?
[2] I was thinking I would have to remove the current insulation first to install a vapor barrier. The contractor said I did not need a vapor barrier. I should save money by just adding new cellulose to the top of the existing material. Is it OK to just add loose fill to the current stuff? I realize this question has been asked before but I've seen different answers.
Thanks in advance
Peter
Ed Imeduc
11-06-06, 03:38 PM
#1 do you mean vents in the over hang???
If so you should use the foam boards in the rafters.
he was saying we could just install batts parallel to the vents to act as a barrier.
this will work but you wont have afull cover of the insulation.
#2 yes you can get by with out the V/B. But a V/B pays I think. You could dig out the rafter and put a R13 paper back paper to the room side then the old insulation on top of it awhen done blow more insulation on top of it all
If so you should use the foam boards in the rafters.
he was saying we could just install batts parallel to the vents to act as a barrier.
this will work but you wont have afull cover of the insulation.
#2 yes you can get by with out the V/B. But a V/B pays I think. You could dig out the rafter and put a R13 paper back paper to the room side then the old insulation on top of it awhen done blow more insulation on top of it all