Garage Attic Insulation Faced Or Unfaced

When adding more insulation to an attic that already has insulation use unfaced insulation.

Garage attic insulation faced or unfaced.

If the walls and ceiling will remain open not covered with drywall or plywood it s a good idea to use paper faced or encapsulated fiberglass bats that are wrapped in a plastic film. You should only use faced insulation as the first layer of insulation. To this end you insulate your home. Facing is a thin layer of paper or plastic attached to one side of batting insulation which is sold in a roll.

The kraft paper on one side of faced insulation keeps moisture from spreading throughout the walls or ceiling. However there are also insulations like spray foam insulation that is designed to be moisture retardant anyway when facing isn t required. Facing is a layer attached to roll or batt insulation as a vapor barrier to help protect the living space from excess humidity or moisture. The facing on the insulation is a vapor barrier it needs to be placed face down.

Paper faced insulation means that one side of the insulation material comes lined with paper. This is usually kraft paper but sometimes other types of paper can be used. But in this application going over other insulation you do not need faced insulation. If the attic doesn t have any existing insulation use faced insulation with the paper facing toward the heated living space.

The primary reason to insulate any part of the home is to provide a thermal barrier between conditioned heated or cooled interior space and the outdoors or unheated spaces such as an unfinished. The kraft paper itself is highly flammable. Generally you should use faced insulation for your garage especially if you live in a very cold or humid climate. You can also get loose fill fiberglass which it suitable for blowing into a garage attic space above a finished ceiling.

However if your garage already has a layer of insulation use unfaced insulation. Before installing insulation in garage walls clear the area inside your garage of any obstacles. Insulate as you would any exterior wall with insulation that includes a vapor retarder. Among the many insulation options available for the homeowner there is one that stands above the rest.

When local building codes require a vapor retardant faced insulation is one of the best options. It is basically designed to keep drywall dry.