Is Kraft Paper Needed For Attic Insulation

Vapor barriers sheets of plastic or kraft paper keep water vapor out of the wall cavity so the insulation stays dry.

Is kraft paper needed for attic insulation. If your current insulation is only 5 inches deep you ll need to add seven inches of insulation to achieve the 12 inch r 38 rating. Unfinished or uninsulated attics need a layer of protection against air migration. Measure the area needing insulation. Paper faced insulation means that one side of the insulation material comes lined with paper.

Measure the depth of your current insulation. Creating a moisture barrier. Kraft faced insulation includes a paper vapor retarder which helps prevent mold and mildew. The facing on kraft faced insulation is made of kraft paper with an asphalt coating that makes the paper impermeable to water vapor.

Any potential changes can be secured by asking your local insulation dealer. Friction fit insulation between and parallel to the attic framing members. To the inside of the home or the outside of the home. Ensure insulation extends to the outside edge of the exterior top plates and to the peak of the cathedral ceiling.

But for a thorough job especially in bathrooms and other high moisture areas a continuous 6 mil plastic sheeting vapor barrier is much more effective. Ensure ends of insulation are butted together and flush to underside of framing. When using kraft faced batts. What is the right insulation for an attic.

R 38 is the industry standard and the minimum thickness for r 38 is 12 inches. Not every type of insulation needs a vapor barrier. If you install fiberglass batt insulation with a kraft paper vapor retarder in a home which way do you face the vapor retarder. The purpose and way to apply is basically the same.

According to owens corning and certainteed makers of insulation kraft paper is a retarder not a barrier. Calculate additional insulation needed. The paper creates a vapor barrier that helps keep the water vapor in the warm moist heated indoor air from migrating outward into the wall or other structure. For many building science questions the answer is it depends for this one the answer is clear.

Illustration by ian worpole. This is usually kraft paper but sometimes other types of paper can be used. Kraft paper does act as a vapor retarder to slow the movement of interior moisture through the wall cavity and insulation. But if it does the barrier should face inside in northern heating climates and outside in humid southern climates.

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. Fasten kraft face tabs of insulation to the.