Table of Contents
Hi Kim, Regardless of whether fiberglass insulation is installed in a wall, attic, or crawlspace; the paper facing should always face toward the inside of the home. That’s because the paper contains a layer of asphalt adhesive which prevents water vapor from passing through it.
What happens if insulation is installed backwards?
Insulation should have its paper side installed towards the inside of the home. So if it is installed upside down, the paper moisture barrier can actually keep moisture in-between the paper and the sub-flooring. This can lead to mold issues, as well as structural deterioration.
Does the foil side of insulation go in or out?
The foil insulation goes on top of the moisture barrier, followed by the roof covering. If you use bubble foil or rigid foam insulation, it also goes on top of the moisture barrier. Remember that there has to be an air space between the foil and the roofing.
Which way up does insulation go?
It faces in, it faces out, it faces towards the roof, it faces towards the space, it faces towards the room. And wait for it, it should have foil on both sides, so all is correct, because it can face the room, the ceiling, the roof and the space all at the same time.
Does it matter which way you face insulation?
(The general rule for insulation is that the facing always goes toward the conditioned space.) The second layer of insulation should be unfaced so that moisture doesn’t collect between the layers.
Which way should insulation face in basement?
Whether it’s in a basement, a crawl space, or an attic, the insulation should face the unconditioned side of the house, while the paper faces the conditioned side. Insulation gets installed in this manner to prevent moisture and water damage from occurring.
Which way does insulation face in a basement ceiling?
Any frame walls in the basement (as with a “walk-out” basement above ground level) should be insulated with fiberglass batts installed between the studs. If the insulation has a facing or vapor retarder, it should face inward (see “Exterior Wall Insulation”).
Where do you put foam insulation?
When to use foam board insulation? Because of its resistance to moisture, foam board insulation is a great choice whenever and wherever there is a chance it could get wet, such as: an exterior foundation, inside a basement against the foundation, and on the outside of a house beneath a house wrap.
Which way should insulation face in a garage?
You can either use faced or unfaced insulation when insulating your garage. If you use faced insulation, the paper side should face the inside of the garage. Alternatively, when using unfaced insulation, it is recommended that you add a vapor barrier over the garage walls after installing the insulation.
Why is insulation foil faced?
Foil is a low emissivity material. This means that adding a foil facing to insulation can significantly improve the U-value of the construction. This enables a thinner insulation to be used to achieve the same U-value.
Does faced insulation need to be covered?
To satisfy building codes, most faced insulation must be covered with half-inch-thick wallboard or other code-approved material to reduce the chances of its igniting during a fire. There is a type of faced insulation approved for exposed installations.
What is the difference between faced and unfaced insulation?
The Difference Between Faced And Unfaced Insulation Faced just means that kraft paper is attached to the insulation itself. The paper helps improve the sturdiness of the insulation so it doesn’t fall down as much. Unfaced insulation is just as good as faced, but it doesn’t have that paper attached to it.
Should you use faced or unfaced insulation in attic?
Faced Insulation: If the attic doesn’t have any existing insulation, use faced insulation with the paper facing toward the heated living space. Unfaced Insulation: When adding more insulation to an attic that already has insulation, use unfaced insulation.
Does basement insulation have to be faced?
Faced insulation is what needs to be used in basements and crawl spaces to minimize heat loss and entry of moisture. Basements and crawl spaces could be costing you unnecessary money. Soil, concrete, bricks, and cement conduct cold, and the cold air penetrate your house from the basement or crawl space.
Should you use faced or unfaced insulation in a basement?
Place faced insulation between the studs with the vapor retarder facing the interior of the room. For the band joist, use unfaced cut-to-fit pieces of insulation and place them snugly into the space.
Should basement ceiling insulation be faced?
Yes. Faced insulation is actually recommended on basement ceilings and ceilings in general. The covering or “face” of the insulation prevents it from falling out and trickling down into the basement air. This is especially advantageous if the insulation is made of fiberglass, which can harmful if it’s ingested.
Should you cover insulation with plastic?
Without a vapor barrier in place, condensation inside the walls could ruin the insulation and promote the growth of harmful mold and bacteria. Plastic, specifically 6-mil polyethylene plastic, is the most commonly used vapor barrier.
What is the difference between pink and blue foam board?
Main Difference Between Pink And Blue Foam Boards The two products also have the same insulating power. However, blue foam boards are manufactured by Dow Chemical Co. whereas the pink foam boards are manufactured by Owens Corning company. The boards are marketed under different brand names.
