How to Insulate an Attic Crawl Space
Insulating an attic crawl space will help maintain a consistent temperature in your home and will also help reduce your heating and cooling bills. It's not hard to do even if the area is not readily accessible. Here's how to insulate an attic crawl space: Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- loose insulation or batting
- polyethylene moisture barrier
- insulation blowing machine (optional)
- measuring tape or long ruler
- internet connection
Instructions
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1
Figure out how much insulation you have in your attic crawl space by measuring its thickness. If your attic crawl space doesn't have insulation yet, skip to step 2. If there is insulation in your attic crawl space and it is in good condition, you can simply add more insulation as needed. Use the guidelines in the next step to determine how much insulation you need.
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2
Figure out how much insulation you need. Insulation is measured by its resistance to heat movement and rated with the letter "R" and a number after it. For example, an attic crawl space with 12 inches of insulation would be given a value of R-30, whereas 6 inches of insulation might be given a value of R-15 (heat will travel through 6 inches of insulation twice as fast as 12 inches). It is generally recommended that you use R-30 insulation (or higher) in your attic crawl space. It's important to note that different types and brands of insulation have different R ratings. Visit the site listed in the resources below to determine how much insulation you need for your attic crawl space.
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3
Decide if you want to insulate the attic crawl space with loose/blown insulation (cellulose, fiberglass, rock-wool or cotton) or batting (cotton or fiberglass). Using a rented blowing machine to install loose insulation may be easier if the crawl space is hard to reach. Batting has to be precisely cut and fitted to maximize insulation effectiveness.
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4
Remove any stored objects from the attic crawl space.
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5
Make note of vents or electrical cables that might be in the attic crawl space (carefully install insulation around them).
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Lay down a polyethylene moisture barrier on the side where the warmest air will be. This means the moisture barrier should be on the bottom of the attic insulation if you heat your home most of the year, and on the top if you run your AC most of the year.
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Install the insulation in the attic crawl space by using the blowing machine or carefully cutting fiberglass batting and placing it between the joists.
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8
Take extra care when installing insulation near vents or electrical cables and leave about 3 inches between any potential heat source and the insulation.
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Tips & Warnings
Don't compress the insulation when installing it - compressing it will only reduce its effectiveness.
Check out the resources listed below for more information on how to reduce your heating and cooling bills and related projects.
Always wear face and body protection when installing insulation. This means wearing goggles, a face mask, gloves and clothes that cover all exposed skin.
Resources
- Reliant Energy - Energy Savings Center
- How to Install Radiant Heat Flooring
- How to Decide On Radiant Heat Flooring
- How to Repair an Electric Furnace
- How to Install House Air Ducts
- How to Install Air Ducts That Dispose Of Airborne Waste
- How to Install Air Ducts
- How to Convert Oil to Gas Heat
- How to Install a Pellet Stove in a Basement
- How to Replace the Seals in Home Windows
- How to Heat a Garage
- How to Install A Hydronic Towel Warmer
- How to Insulate Heat Ducts in a Crawl Space
- Photo Credit houseworksconstructionllc.com
