No Insulation In Attic Walls

Loose fill and blown insulation.

No insulation in attic walls.

If the wall has fiberglass or cellulose insulation on the nonliving side of the wall the insulation should be covered by an air barrier such as drywall. Closed cell and open cell aka 2 pound and pound respectively. Choose from two types. Retrofit wall insulation is a debatable subject because there is no single right answer for all homes and homeowners.

Rolls and batts either of which is a good choice for insulating interior open stud walls. Not getting insulation out to the edges when you re prepping the attic use a broom handle or stick to push the existing insulation out to the edges. Loose fill or batt the common term for blanket insulation. Only a cost benefit analysis in relation to your own situation can help you arrive at the right answer.

Blanket type insulation comes in two forms. Once you ve decided which type is best for you examine the material options and prices to home in on the right product. In some cases the cost of adding insulation may exceed the cost of energy needed to heat or cool it. If your attic has enough insulation and proper air sealing and your home still feels drafty and cold in the winter or too warm in the summer chances are you need to add insulation to the exterior walls.

Because it is forced through a tube and blown into space loose fill is best suited for unfinished attics and hard to reach areas. Probably in more place than you think. For diy attic insulation you ve got two choices. In addition to walls and attics insulation should be installed in ceilings with unheated spaces basement walls floors above vented crawl spaces cathedral ceilings floors over unheated garages or porches knee walls and in between interior walls especially bathrooms as well as ceilings and floors.

Both can be added to uninsulated attics or layered over existing material. Not sure where exactly to insulate. If the attic itself is insulated the other side of the knee walls the space in between the living space and the exterior wall is usually not. They sport insulation values of approximately r 6 5 and r 3 6 per inch respectively.

There are lots of other ways to increase your energy efficiency that don t have to do with insulation like caulking trim and baseboards which are notoriously drafty weatherstripping doors and windows adding storm windows and even using thick drapes. This is more expensive and usually requires a contractor but it may be worth the cost especially if you live in a very cold climate. This necessitates professional installation however. Start in the attic leave the walls alone and attack the crawlspace if you re up for it.