Attic insulation question for any Freaks here in the 'know'

[Matt S]

Sorry for the super random question of the day....if anyone here knows, I would appreciate it.

I hired a guy to reinsulate my Attic - its a 1979 home with lower roof - unlike the higher pitched ones you see in the news ones

The guy is seemingly doing a good job, but he is insulation the rafters in the roof top to bottom, but not doing the floor of the attic..... the question is: is this normal?

I have looked online for vids, and there are so many different types/ways to do this, that they are not really helping....did learn the paper layer is the vapor barrier though

I am using R30 roll on insulation

thanks!!!

 

[vader70450]

maybe that is the new way of insulating...mine is blown in ^^^^ that is on the floor of the attic not in the rafters...

 

[Mikey2Bullets]

i did a combo of both ways recently on my place. hmmm, he could be doing it that way to get the insulation as close to the exterior walls as possible. reason being if he did the floor and not the exterior ceiling roof part, the warmer air would leak quicker upward and out of the house. just a guess on my part, i know sheet rock and joint compound much better than insulation.

 

[915stag51]

Its pretty much the same thing man, it would of been easier to insulate the ceiling joists rather than the roof rafters but its gonna work the same.....

 

[Cocoboloboy]

Yep, works the same. An advantage too, like Mickey mentioned, is that you can have someone come and blow cellulose insulation in on top of the ceiling for an added R value.

 

[Matt S]

Ok, thanks, guys.. that really helps.

last issue I am concerned with...my insulators have the vapor barrier facing down, toward the living areas (I am using standard R30 Owens Corning fiber glass insulation)....should the vapor barrier not be up against the roof, with the fiberglass area showing?

Man, I have looked at 5-6 vids online and I swear they contradict each other on Vapor barrier....some say the barrier is always pointed toward the livable space, others seem to do the opposite!?!

Thank you again for all the comments...it means a lot!

 

[Mikey2Bullets]

sure thing.... no down is the correct way. it keeps the vapor of the living space from rising into the fiberglass material which becomes a breeding ground for mold and attracts critters. i had a crash course in this last year after my roof leaked and ruined a few hundred square feet of ceiling and insulation. i also worked for a contractor for a few years which really expanded my paltry knowledge of home repair. the rest i make up as my house fall apart around me.

 

[Matt S]

sure thing.... no down is the correct way. it keeps the vapor of the living space from rising into the fiberglass material which becomes a breeding ground for mold and attracts critters. i had a crash course in this last year after my roof leaked and ruined a few hundred square feet of ceiling and insulation. i also worked for a contractor for a few years which really expanded my paltry knowledge of home repair. the rest i make up as my house fall apart around me.

Ok, thanks! So, seeing the paper is a good thing! Man, wished I didnt double guess it so much, but just dont want to spend the money and have it done wrong!

Thanks a lot - I appreciate it

 

[Anzik]

The vapor barrier is also a bit wider than the fiberglass so it can be stapled to the outside of the studs.

 

[Matt S]

Thanks a lot to everyone here that helped out. House is all done for now - seems to be helping, but wont see true effects of it until Mid June when every day will be 95 plus!!!

 

[Anzik]

Do you have an attic fan?

 

[Matt S]

Do you have an attic fan?

Yeah - right over the living room - have it set up so it kicks on past 80 degrees...

do any of you use an attic tent? It covers the attic door opening....not sure if that would help, or just be overkill...