Is there any benefit in topping the joists with a thin perpendicular layer of unfaced batt insulation?
Walter writes from Randolph, New Jersey: “I’m looking to add insulation to the attic of my 132-year old Victorian home. The attic currently has loose (piece) insulation laid to about 4″ deep between the 6” deep ceiling joists. I plan to tear down old Kraft-faced insulation that was stapled between the rafters, since the space is essentially unconditioned. There are no soffit vents. Much, but not all, of the plaster ceiling below has been furred with other ceiling finishes installed over the old plaster. Pursuant to an energy audit, and because I want to continue to use the attic for storage, I was advised to caulk any ceiling penetrations and to fill the remaining ceiling joist depth with loose fill insulation (or simply to use the fiberglass that I take down from the rafters – the old paper won’t create a vapor retarder). I was then told to reinstall the plank flooring and to caulk the joints between the planks to slow air flow through the attic floor. I recognize that you’d prefer I
Related Questions
- Can a higher STC value be achieved if faced fiberglass insulation instead of unfaced insulation is used in a partition?
- Is there any benefit in topping the joists with a thin perpendicular layer of unfaced batt insulation?
- Can unfaced insulation be used as a firestopping material in residential and commercial construction?
