Adding insulation to an attic

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Before you add any insulation to your attic, you need to know how much insulation (R-value) is already there. This is simply done by measuring the thickness of your attic's existing insulation. Most older homes have between 3" and 6" of fiber glass blanket insulation. This is roughly equal to an R-value between R-9 and R-19.

Now click on the "R-Value Recommendations" icon below to learn your area's recommended R-values. (The U.S. Department of Energy recommends how much insulation homes in each area of the country should have to achieve optimum energy efficiency.)

Subtract the amount of your attic's existing insulation from your area's recommended R-value to determine how much more should be installed. R-25 insulation is great for adding a second layer to existing attic insulation.

For information on properly layering insulation, see our Frequently Asked Questions section.

Recommended Insulation Products:


R-30	Fiber Glass Insulation; Unfaced - No Vapor Retarder	9 1/2" Thick

R-25	Attic & Crawlspace Insulation; No Vapor Retarder	8" Thick

R-19	Attic & Crawlspace Wall Fiber Glass Insulation; Unfaced - No Vapor Retarder	6 1/4" Thick

PINK Fiber Glass Loosefill Insulation	Check our Dealer/Contractor Locator for the Certified Energy Professional in your area.

Installation:
	First, some temporary flooring should be laid across the joists to provide some footing, and a temporary work light should be used to offer adequate lighting.
	Install the insulation at the outer edge of the attic space and work toward the center. This allows for more headroom in the center of the space, where cutting and fitting can be done. It's also a good idea not to get "insulated into a corner" where it will be hard to get back to the attic entry way.
	If the joist cavities are completely filled, lay the new insulation in long runs perpendicular to the direction of the joists, and use leftover pieces for small spaces. If the cavity is not completely filled, use the appropriate thickness of insulation to fill it to the top, then add an additional layer of insulation in the perpendicular direction.
	The insulation should extend far enough to cover the tops of the exterior walls, but should not block the flow of air from the eave vents. To make sure the eave vents aren't blocked, Owens Corning Raft-R-Mate® attic vents or baffles should be installed to provide unrestricted air flow from the soffit to the attic.
	Insulation should be kept three inches away from recessed lighting fixtures unless the fixture is marked "I.C." (Insulated Ceiling), which is designed for direct contact with the insulation. If insulation is placed over an unrated fixture, it may cause the fixture to overheat and perhaps start a fire. Also, the insulation should always be installed at least three inches away from any metal chimneys, gas water heater flues or other heat-producing devices.
	Around masonry chimneys or other areas that have small openings, stuff these spaces with small pieces of unfaced insulation, which will not burn.