Adding Attic Insulation Over Existing Insulation

When adding additional insulation you do not have to use the same type of insulation that currently exists in your attic.

Adding attic insulation over existing insulation.

Measure how much insulation you already have. It is vital that any new batt or roll insulation that is installed over existing insulation in the attic be without vapour retarder. Faced insulation should not be placed on top of existing insulation in the attic. The vapour retarder on top of or between layers will trap moisture.

Don t add faced insulation on top of your existing insulation because the vapor retarder in between layers leads to trapped moisture. Any existing batt or roll insulation in your attic needs to have the facing against the attic drywall floor or no facing at all. Insulation should be rolled out perpendicular to the joists and unfaced rolls should be used. Check the attic walls and floors adjacent to an unheated space like a garage or basement.

Any existing batt or roll insulation in the attic should have the facing against the attic drywall floor or no facing at all. Do not tack down any rolled insulation. Batt or rolled insulation or blown loose fill insulation fiberglass or cellulose can be installed on top of old insulation. Any new batt or roll insulation installed over existing insulation in the attic needs to be without a vapor retarder face.

It needs to be unfaced. When adding roll the insulation perpendicular to the joists not parallel. Check the depth using a tape measure. If you use fiberglass over loose fill make sure the fiberglass batt has no paper or foil backing.

Add the right kind of insulation. Install fiberglass batts over existing batt insulation. Put on goggles and gloves to protect yourself while handling. The structural elements are usually exposed in these areas which makes it easy to see what type of insulation you have and to measure its depth or thickness inches.

To install fiberglass batts over existing insulation lay the batts perpendicular to the joists so they do not compress the insulation below 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. How do i add insulation to existing attic insulation. The vapor retarder on top of or between layers of insulation can trap moisture.