How To Insulate Your Attic Rafters

Level uneven spots with a rake.

How to insulate your attic rafters.

Move across the attic until you ve hit your desired height at every point. 2d extend insulation into joist space to reduce air flows. Make sure the paper flange and the staples lie flat against the board to create an even surface for attaching the finished wall material. If your attic is going to be converted into livable space then you will need to insulate the roof rafters.

And it keeps the cold or hot outside air outside. Don a long sleeved shirt safety glasses gloves and a dust mask to prevent irritating fiberglass from reacting with. You can use rigid foam panels or do as tom silva does with nearly all houses these days. Blow in insulation until the hopper is empty.

Attach the insulation to the rafter scab board by the paper flange so as not to compress the fiberglass. Don t be duped into thinking other types of insulation will give you a tight air seal. That air seal means you keep the air you heated or cooled inside your home. Use 3 8 inch heavy duty staples every six inches.

For the center areas hold the hose level and blow in insulation evenly until you ve reached your level lines photo 6. You get a seamless air barrier and high r value even in just 1 inch. 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. How to install rafter insulation.

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. Then blow another layer on top of the roof rafters. Install ventilation baffles into the space between the rafters before you install the insulation usually by stapling into place. Fill every joist space completely and evenly with the insulation leaving attic vents uncovered.

Then pivot in place and do the same thing to the other side. Plus spraying the rafters also uses more spray foam it s a larger surface area. Hire a pro to install spray foam insulation. Typically you will fill the insulation blower with the insulation and blow it between the attic floor joists.

In finished attic rooms with or without dormer insulate 2a between the studs of knee walls 2b between the studs and rafters of exterior walls and roof 2c and ceilings with cold spaces above. If you do need to do your rafters use closed cell foam it green.