How To Insulate Your Attic Rafters

Use 3 8 inch heavy duty staples every six inches.

How to insulate your attic rafters.

2d extend insulation into joist space to reduce air flows. Blow in insulation until the hopper is empty. With a helper to load the blower with insulation as needed start at the perimeter of the attic and work toward the attic access door. Fill every joist space completely and evenly with the insulation leaving attic vents uncovered.

Then blow another layer on top of the roof rafters. Staple it to the rafters or scabbed on boards with a staple gun so that the paper backing is toward the interior of the room to act as a vapor barrier. You get a seamless air barrier and high r value even in just 1 inch. That air seal means you keep the air you heated or cooled inside your home.

Install ventilation baffles into the space between the rafters before you install the insulation usually by stapling into place. If you do need to do your rafters use closed cell foam it green. 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. Hire a pro to install spray foam insulation.

For the center areas hold the hose level and blow in insulation evenly until you ve reached your level lines photo 6. Then pivot in place and do the same thing to the other side. Attach baffles to the bottom of the roof sheathing the plywood or solid wood strips onto which roofing material was installed. Move across the attic until you ve hit your desired height at every point.

Typically you will fill the insulation blower with the insulation and blow it between the attic floor joists. Level uneven spots with a rake. Don t be duped into thinking other types of insulation will give you a tight air seal. And it keeps the cold or hot outside air outside.

If your attic is going to be converted into livable space then you will need to insulate the roof rafters. Attach the insulation to the rafter scab board by the paper flange so as not to compress the fiberglass. You can use rigid foam panels or do as tom silva does with nearly all houses these days. Make sure the paper flange and the staples lie flat against the board to create an even surface for attaching the finished wall material.

Don a long sleeved shirt safety glasses gloves and a dust mask to prevent irritating fiberglass from reacting with. Plus spraying the rafters also uses more spray foam it s a larger surface area.