Putting Insulation Over Old In Attic

Original insulation looks like little cotton balls.

Putting insulation over old in attic.

House build around 1960 63. Always cover the tops of the ceiling joists to make sure the insulation is deep enough to reach your target r value and to prevent thermal bridging the heat loss that occurs through the wood framing. Whether you live in a warm weather state as i do or in a cooler northern climate it s hard to stay comfortable and keep your energy bills in check if you don t have adequate insulation in the attic. Faced insulation should not be placed on top of existing insulation in the attic.

When adding additional insulation you do not have to use the same type of insulation that currently exists in your. Work from the perimeter of the attic toward the door or hatch so that you don t trample all over the insulation you just put in. Add the right kind of insulation. The old insulation is very compressed or has decomposed.

To install fiberglass batts over existing insulation lay the batts perpendicular to the joists so they do not compress the insulation below. Although insulation professionals will handle the installation for you here are some things to keep in mind about removing old insulation and installing new insulation over old insulation according to energy star. Best of all insulation is relatively easy to install and the average attic can be completed over the course of a weekend. We are losing a lot of heat in the winter through the attic.

Do we put a moisture barrier over the insulation when we have finished the install. It use to fill the space between the boards and now there is very little.