Faced Vs Unfaced Batt Insulation Attic

You can buy them unfaced or simply remove the paper or foil backing.

Faced vs unfaced batt insulation attic. Faced insulation is a vapor retarder and may need to be used in your home depending on your local building codes. Faced or the type with paper is typically used in first time applications such as in walls ceilings floors and in crawl spaces. Whether you choose faced or unfaced insulation for the attic depends on the. When it s batts or rolls of unfaced insulation it s meant to be used to add r rating values but should be installed behind the faced insulation.

Any time you use a faced insulation the paper needs to be facing toward the living space. Unfaced insulation when adding more insulation to an attic that already has insulation use unfaced insulation. Unfaced means the insulation lacks a vapor retarder paper or plastic facing. Batt insulation is available at home centers and lumberyards.

The same applies to faced unfaced and other kinds of insulation products. Insulation in rolls called batts comes in two varieties. For many contractors the decision to use one kind of insulation over the other depends solely on preference rather than a by the book decision making process. The key difference between the two is that faced insulation keeps moisture out because it has kraft paper or plastic on one side whereas unfaced only provides insulation.

Watch this video to find out more. Batt insulation take time to read this column. Attic insulation is accomplished with either fiberglass blankets batt or blown in insulation. Blown in insulation requires a professional.

Place a new layer of unfaced batts perpendicular to the old layer to cover any gaps in the lower layer. Always use unfaced batts both when laying product for the first time and to prevent moisture from becoming trapped between new and old layers of insulation. Facing is a thin layer of paper or plastic attached to one side of batting insulation which is sold in a roll. Faced insulation if the attic doesn t have any existing insulation use faced insulation with the paper facing toward the heated living space.

Kraft faced insulation includes a paper vapor retarder which helps prevent mold and mildew. Kinds of insulation that don t involve facing of any sort include spray foam blown in insulation and rigid foam boards. Kraft faced insulation should be installed in exterior walls exterior basement walls and attic ceilings by pressing the product into the wall cavity with the paper side facing outward towards the installer.