R 38 is the industry standard and the minimum thickness for r 38 is 12 inches.
Is kraft paper needed for attic insulation.
They also state that the vapor retarder is a one way ticket to allow moisture out of the structure but not back in.
Any potential changes can be secured by asking your local insulation dealer.
Measure the area needing insulation.
What is the right insulation for an attic.
As a result of evaporation people breathing and plant respiration air carries some.
The paper creates a vapor barrier that helps keep the water vapor in the warm moist heated indoor air from migrating outward into the wall or other structure.
Friction fit insulation between and parallel to the attic framing members.
Vapor barriers sheets of plastic or kraft paper keep water vapor out of the wall cavity so the insulation stays dry.
This is usually kraft paper but sometimes other types of paper can be used.
When using kraft faced batts.
Illustration by ian worpole.
The facing on kraft faced insulation is made of kraft paper with an asphalt coating that makes the paper impermeable to water vapor.
According to owens corning and certainteed makers of insulation kraft paper is a retarder not a barrier.
Creating a moisture barrier.
Kraft paper does act as a vapor retarder to slow the movement of interior moisture through the wall cavity and insulation.
The purpose and way to apply is basically the same.
Fasten kraft face tabs of insulation to the.
But for a thorough job especially in bathrooms and other high moisture areas a continuous 6 mil plastic sheeting vapor barrier is much more effective.
Unfinished or uninsulated attics need a layer of protection against air migration.
But if it does the barrier should face inside in northern heating climates and outside in humid southern climates.
Paper faced insulation means that one side of the insulation material comes lined with paper.
To the inside of the home or the outside of the home.
If you install fiberglass batt insulation with a kraft paper vapor retarder in a home which way do you face the vapor retarder.
Measure the depth of your current insulation.
If your current insulation is only 5 inches deep you ll need to add seven inches of insulation to achieve the 12 inch r 38 rating.
Kraft faced insulation should be installed in exterior walls exterior basement walls and attic ceilings by pressing the product into the wall cavity with the paper side facing outward towards the installer.
Kraft faced insulation includes a paper vapor retarder which helps prevent mold and mildew.
Calculate additional insulation needed.
For many building science questions the answer is it depends for this one the answer is clear.
Not every type of insulation needs a vapor barrier.
