Cellulose Insulation Vapor Barrier Attic

Good afternoon i live in buffalo ny and am remodeling my home.

Cellulose insulation vapor barrier attic.

Blow in cellulose insulation seals houses better by limiting the air flow not only through the insulating material but also around difficult to insulate areas such as the gaps around electrical boxes wiring and plumbing. To stop the movement of vapor effectively through air leaks your vapor barrier should also have an air barrier such as an airtight drywall ceiling. A recent one on cellulose insulation and air vapor barriers one of a flurry on the topic tipped the scale toward a broader response as we continue to dispel this enduring myth. The latex paint allows the ceiling to breath a bit but still help prevent significant movement of air and water vapor.

What if you find asbestos in your attic. Air sealing an attic. You have made the bold decision to insulate your attic. Most forms of attic insulation benefit from the addition of a vapor barrier to protect them from the harmful effects of moisture which can reduce their effectiveness over time the following are a few simple steps to help you undertake the task properly so your vapor barrier retains heat without damaging the insulation.

Cellulose insulation has a high density compared to fiberglass. But you do need to perform air sealing work before beginning the insulation job. A vapor barrier is not only unnecessary but also can be potentially harmful especially during the summer months in air conditioned buildings when warm moist air passes through wall assemblies and condenses on the outside of the cool poly vapor barrier. Check your local building codes for compliance.

The insulation fiberglass or cellulose is then placed on top of the drywall with no vapor barrier above or below. I want to dense pack the walls with cellulose insulation and loose fill the attic area. The hygroscopic nature of cellulose insulation allows it to manage and wick moisture from areas of greater to lesser concentrations thus preventing damaging amounts of moisture from accumulating. In this case use r 38 insulation as recommended above by energystar.

Cellulose insulation can also handle non standard or off center wall stud spacing areas better than batts. Now with attic insulation heat is no longer lost from the living space such that moisture may remain trapped in the attic vapor barriers were therefore necessary to reduce moisture flow into the attic. This really helps prevent trapped moisture between a traditional vapor barrier and the drywall. This article explains the necessary work.

Insulation labs is a name to reckon with for efficient vapor barrier installation services. With modern s cellulose insulation a vapor barrier is not recommended except in very cold weather or high moisture areas such as spas or pool buildings. However many building codes do require an air barrier or vapor retarder to be installed.