Should You Insulate Attic Roof Rafters

At the same time the areas below the roof benefit from increased comfort both during the winter and the summer.

Should you insulate attic roof rafters.

If you live in the south you should consider putting in a radiant barrier in the attic. In this way you prevent the heat from the rooms below escaping to the attic rooms above. You can add insulation to the floor. If you have vents in the walls of the attic or in the roof ridge then the insulation can go all the way to the roof.

Insulating the attic floor. Hire a pro to install spray foam insulation. Insulating between rafters will do no good because the attic should be ventilated and the rafter insulation would be between two unheated spaces. Consumers are often told by spray foam contractors to do the rafters.

If you re not do the attic floor. If you re considering turning your attic into conditioned storage or living space it s worth changing tactics to insulate between the rafters and wall joists instead of the floor. Make sure it is flush against the wood as also a 1 inch gap can create a 20 percent heating loss. The idea is to allow some air to circulate through some part of the attic under the roof but outside the insulation to prevent moisture build up.

You only need those if you have vents in the soffits under the eaves. Attic moisture problems are often the result of heated air from the living space rising up into the attic which is not heated. If your attic is going to be converted into livable space then you will need to insulate the roof rafters. In order to avoid damage to the roof deck you should insulate ceilings to create an air barrier between the living space and an unfinished attic or airspace underneath the roof deck.

When choosing unfaced batting insulation for rafters you must staple sheets of plastic over the batting to accomplish the necessary moisture barrier. However if you super insulate your attic ie r 30 or better then it becomes redundent. For rolled insulation location it in between roof covering rafters. This will have the best return on investment if you live in an area with more than 2000 cooling degree days.

That s because it s easier for the contractor to spray than clean up existing insulation deal with any can lights or venting etc. Air movement is critical in the attic so. If you do not use the attic much it is pointless heating this area. Install ventilation baffles into the space between the rafters before you install the insulation usually by stapling into place.

But the best solution is actually to insulate both the attic floor and the underside of the roof.