Photo: zi Wa

How many inches of roof insulation do I need?

The higher the R-Value, the better the thermal performance of the insulation. The recommended level for most attics is to insulate to R-38 or about 10 to 14 inches, depending on insulation type.

energystar.gov - Adding Attic Insulation | ENERGY STAR

What are the negatives of a pole barn house?

Similarly, you could run into issues with obtaining permits for your pole barn home. Some counties do not allow this type of residential building....

Last updated Jul 11, 2022

How do you determine the slope of a shed ramp?

If possible, try to keep the slope around 11 or 12 degrees. This translates to about 2 inches of rise for every 12 inches of run. Steep ramps can...

Last updated Mar 17, 2019

Promotion

Now that you've air-sealed your attic and basement, check your attic insulation levels and add more if necessary. The attic is the easiest place to add insulation to improve your comfort and the energy efficiency of your home.

Do I Have Enough?

No matter what kind of insulation you currently have in your attic, one quick way to determine if you need more is to look across the span of your attic. If your insulation is just level with or below your floor joists (i.e., you can easily see your joists), you should add more. If you cannot see any of the floor joists because the insulation is well above them, you probably have enough and adding more may not be cost-effective. It is important that the insulation be evenly distributed with no low spots; sometimes there is enough insulation in the middle of the attic and very little along the eaves. To see how to add insulation out to the eaves, see Installing Rafter Vents. If your attic insulation covers your joists and is distributed evenly, you probably have enough. Insulation levels are specified by R-Value. R-Value is a measure of insulation's ability to resist heat flow. The higher the R-Value, the better the thermal performance of the insulation. The recommended level for most attics is to insulate to R-38 or about 10 to 14 inches, depending on insulation type. When adding additional insulation, you do not have to use the same type of insulation that currently exists in your attic. You can add loose fill on top of fiberglass batts or blankets, and vice-versa. If you use fiberglass over loose fill, make sure the fiberglass batt has no paper or foil backing; it needs to be "unfaced." If you choose to add loose fill, it may be wise to hire a professional, as the application requires the use of a blowing machine, although some home improvement stores offer rentals of this machine. For additional details and images, download the Seal and Insulate DIY Guide (PDF, 12.8 MB).

NEXT>> About Attic Ventilation

Is it smart to own multiple homes?

Greater potential ROI. Owning multiple rental properties can lead to greater potential long-term return on investment (ROI). That's because more...

Last updated Sep 16, 2019

Which wood is hardest?

1. Australian Buloke – 5,060 IBF. An ironwood tree that is native to Australia, this wood comes from a species of tree occurring across most of...

Last updated Jun 13, 2018

Are shed plans easy to follow?

These are! They guide you every step of the way to complete your dream shed.

Learn More »

Promotion

Do I need a plastic vapor barrier if I use faced insulation?

A: The facing on the insulation acts as a vapor barrier. No need to add an additional layer of plastic over the faced insulation. Q: I have an older beach condo that is constructed with exterior concrete walls and ceilings.

oklahoman.com - Improving Your Home: Plastic not needed on top of faced insulation

By Paul Bianchina

Q: I am redoing my drywall and insulation on the exterior walls of my house. I bought faced insulation and have that installed already. Is it a bad idea to put a layer of plastic sheeting over top of that or not? I’ve heard it both ways and want to know which would be best. A: The facing on the insulation acts as a vapor barrier. No need to add an additional layer of plastic over the faced insulation.

Q: I have an older beach condo that is constructed with exterior concrete walls and ceilings. The building will not allow outside dryer vent access. After reading your article, I feel there is no acceptable solution to the dryer vent issue. Am I correct?

A: The building codes require that ventilation fans and dryers be vented to the outside, although that may not have been the code when your building was constructed. And yes, in my opinion there is no acceptable alternative for venting a dryer other than to vent it all the way to the exterior of a building. It's hard to believe that your condo association would establish and enforce a rule that is detrimental to both the health and safety of the building's occupants, and the overall structural integrity of the building itself. I can't advise you on legal issues, but this is something that you and the other condo owners might want to look into in greater depth. Have a home repair or remodeling question for Paul? He can be reached by email at improvingyourhome@ykwc.net.