Attic Insulation Over Old Insulation

Laying foil over on top of insulation on the attic floor.

Attic insulation over old insulation.

Once you ve decided which type is best for you examine the material options and prices to home in on the right product. When the time comes to sell your home a well insulated attic is a plus. Although insulation professionals will handle the installation for you here are some things to keep in mind about removing old insulation and installing new insulation over old insulation according to energy star. Attach 1 inch foam board insulation.

Believe it or not there are situations in a home when you should remove the old attic insulation before adding more over the existing and in this short video. But just because your insulation is old doesn t mean it is dangerous. Whether you live in a warm weather state as i do or in a cooler northern climate it s hard to stay comfortable and keep your energy bills in check if you don t have adequate insulation in the attic. R value is a measure of insulation s ability to resist heat flow.

Apply a house wrap vapor barrier to exterior walls. In older homes specifically asbestos may be found in many different materials from pipe insulation to flooring adhesive to roof shingles. One of the most common materials containing asbestos fibers is attic and wall insulation. Replace old windows with energy efficient units.

Find your zone on the map and then use the above insulation r value chart to determine the level of insulation you need to properly insulate your attic walls floors and crawlspaces. One way to insulate walls of an old house is to focus on the home s exterior. The higher the r value the better the thermal performance of the insulation. Insulation levels are specified by r value.

Best of all insulation is relatively easy to install and the average attic can be completed over the course of a weekend. This method can be used in any climate though it historically has been most popular in colder climates. Add the right kind of insulation. Faced insulation should not be placed on top of existing insulation in the attic.

This is probably the easiest method to install radiant barrier atticfoil is to lay the foil out over the existing insulation on the attic floor. Caulk window trim and use weatherstripping to reduce air leaks. For diy attic insulation you ve got two choices. Install siding over the insulation.

To install fiberglass batts over existing insulation lay the batts perpendicular to the joists so they do not compress the insulation below. Both can be added to uninsulated attics or layered over existing material.