Faced Or Unfaced Insulation In An Attic

If you re putting it in an exterior wall the facing is on the interior side of the home where drywall will be laid.

Faced or unfaced insulation in an attic.

If you re using unfaced insulation in an area where a vapor barrier is required or recommended you may be able to add your own barrier using plastic sheeting. Among the many insulation options available for the homeowner there is one that stands above the rest. Paper faced insulation means that one side of the insulation material comes lined with paper. Unfinished or uninsulated attics need a layer of protection against air migration.

Unfaced insulation when adding more insulation to an attic that already has insulation use unfaced insulation. The kraft paper on one side of faced insulation keeps moisture from spreading throughout the walls or ceiling. You should only use faced insulation as the first layer of insulation. Faced insulation has flanges on the outside of the batt that need to be stapled to the wall studs and joists.

This is usually kraft paper but sometimes other types of paper can be used. Simply peel the facing paper off the top layer of insulation. As you ve discovered since you already had insulation in your attic the layer of new insulation you added should have been unfaced to prevent moisture from becoming trapped between the layers. The kraft paper itself is highly flammable.

The same is true for an attic floor. When local building codes require a vapor retardant faced insulation is one of the best options. In crawl spaces unfaced insulation is generally only used when adding to existing insulation. Unfaced insulation is just insulation without an attached moisture barrier.

The facing should aim down toward the living space. What is the right insulation for an attic. To this end you insulate your home. To make things safe cover your unfaced insulation with drywall to prevent the risk of a fire.

The good news is that the solution to your problem isn t that difficult. Here s what you need to know about the facing on attic insulation.