I have a client that has some old falling apart faced insulation in the ceiling that now needs to be addressed. It looks like either it compacted over time or was never enough to give much of a R value (wall insulation instead of ceiling?). I do have access above in the attic thank god! My question is can I lay unfaced insulation on top or should I remove the old stuff? I was concerned with moisture, but if I am using unfaced, wouldn’t that be ok?
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You may want to lay new, unfaced batts across the existing.
Across perpendicular or is it ok just on top?
If you go cross wise to the ceiling joists it will insulate the joists as well. The"blanket" will be continuos with nothing poking through.
With the old stuff which way is the facing facing? ;-) Toward the heated space or toward the unheated attic?
I believe it is toward the heated space, but now that you point it out, I'd better double check. If it is toward the unheated space, I probably should flip it over, right?
>> If it is toward the unheated space, I probably should flip it over, right? << right... or just slash the existing paper with a razor knife. The paper vapor barrier (assuming paper here) isn't real effective anyway, plus if it was stapled in place before the ceiling was installed it could be a hassle to flip it over. In my climate we don't even use ceiling vapor barriers, but then again I have no idea of where you live. Up north, I think it's different.
BTW - as stated above, personally, I'd just call an insulation contractor and have 8", 10" or whatever of loose fill insulation blown on top. Get cellulose if possible, it is much better at stopping air movement. At the very least, get a price and compare it to the cost of the batt insulation. Batt insulation isn't particurally cheap when you start figuring how many bags or rolls you need, plus labor to install If you do get a bid for blown, let us know how it prices out.
If there are vents in the soffits be sure not to block the flow of air.
I'd blow cellulose over the existing.
http://grantlogan.net/
I have to agree with seeyou and Matt.
Blow cellulose over it. Simple, cheap, effective, and a lot faster than batt type f/g.
Another option is blown fiberglass.
Either blown in type can be done in a few hours by a competent contractor.
Rolls of f/g are going to take you a day for a small house and longer for a large house.
If you just want to crawl around up there, do it, but make that the part where you are putting in air chutes and sealing all the air leaks.
Dave
Yeah, another vote for blowing cellulose over the top of the existing. If the existing is face side up then the new insulation will actually reduce any moisture problems that the incorrect orientation may actually have caused.
Do, of course, fix any roof leaks before adding any sort of insulation. And make sure that attic ventillation doesn't get blocked in the process of installation.
I'm liking this idea more and more. Ease and cost - what's not to like?
In some areas it's hard to find someone who'll do cellulose, but doing it with blown fiberglass isn't that much worse an option.The hard part may be prepping the vents, if the insulators don't do that, or if you don't trust them. In a low slope roof (4" or less) it's a PITA to install "chutes".
If your view never changes you're following the wrong leader
Definitely have it blown in right over what is there now.
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