How To Add Extra Insulation In Attic

Turn off the power to the outlet.

How to add extra insulation in attic. Inspect the exterior walls by using an electrical outlet. Insulation should be rolled out perpendicular to the joists and unfaced rolls should be used. Measure how much insulation you already have. Cost effective way to save energy with this old house general contractor tom silva.

You can add loose fill on top of fiberglass batts or blankets and vice versa. Then pivot in place and do the same thing to the other side. Check the depth using a tape measure. You should be able to see if there is insulation in the wall.

The recommended level for most attics is to insulate to r 38 or about 10 to 14 inches depending on insulation type. Any existing batt or roll insulation in the attic should have the facing against the attic drywall floor or no facing at all. Remove the outlet cover and shine a flashlight into the crack around the outlet box. See below for a shopping list and tools subscribe to this old house.

Install fiberglass batts over existing batt insulation. Add the right kind of insulation. For the center areas hold the hose level and blow in insulation evenly until you ve reached your level lines photo 6. Move across the attic until you ve hit your desired height at every point.

Use cardboard or rigid foam baffles to keep soffit vents open. Fill all cracks between the living area and the attic with caulk or expanding foam. How do i add insulation to existing attic insulation. Because the simplest and cheapest way to insulate an attic is to add material to the floor.

Plan to pull up the flooring and layer new insulation on top of the old. Blow in insulation until the hopper is empty. Carry a batt to the far end of the attic. Don t cover can lights unless they are rated for contact with insulation.

It s safer to build a small enclosure with hardware cloth or plywood to keep loose insulation away from lights and exhaust fans. Batt or rolled insulation or blown loose fill insulation fiberglass or cellulose can be installed on top of old insulation. Start at the lowest part of the attic where the roof meets the outer wall and unroll the insulation perpendicular to the joists back toward the. Put on goggles and gloves to protect yourself while handling.