Adding Attic Insulation to a Finished Attic

Before adding attic insulation, inspect the state of the old insulation. Do not work on vermiculite insulation as it commonly contains asbestos, only certified professionals should handle this. Proper insulation is an ideal way to keep the house warm and to cut on energy bills.

Step 1 – Measure Present Insulation

To determine if there is need for more insulation use a ruler to measure the width of the insulation present in the attic. Recommended measurements are R-3.5 inch, R-2.5 and R-3.2 inch for blown in loose cellulose, blown in fiberglass and fiberglass batts respectively.

Step 2 – Consider Attic Insulation to Use

It is ideal to add more insulation material if observed measurements are below recommended figures. Make sure to use the same type of insulation material used before, it bonds easily and works effectively in trapping air.

Step 3 – Applying Attic Insulation

Fiberglass batts can be easily applied by laying them perpendicularly to joists; this prevents them from compressing the insulation below. For loose-fill fiber glass or cellulose, use a spray gun or blowing machine. Make sure the material is at the correct density. Fill all cracks, seals and gaps.

Use a hand saw to scrape off excess material once the insulation has set.