Should I Insulate My Roof Rafters

Water is insulation s enemy.

Should i insulate my roof rafters.

Other considerations to get the best performance out of spray foam insulation you must cover the roof rafters and surrounding areas as thoroughly as possible. You are correct and your girlfriend is wrong. If you use open cell spray foam on your roof rafters you should cover the finished application with a paint or sealant that retards water vapor. It creates a breeding ground for mold and mildew and ruins the air trapping pockets that block heat flow.

While attics especially in older homes are rarely insulated you can easily insulate yours with the help of this. If you have roof rafters in your attic that aren t insulated you re throwing money away. The rafters are joined together by a horizontal ridge board at the top and tied together by ceiling joists at the bottom. Because heat escapes easily through the roof uninsulated rafters can make your energy bills go up when you turn your heating system on.

For example if the space beneath the rafters is going to be used for a living area then you will need to insulate the roof rafters. Even small gaps can allow the passage of. You may also insulate your roof to help regulate the temperature in an attic that is a part of your living space. Whether or not there is an inner roof lining and the total thickness of the roof structure.

You can also add rigid foam insulation under the rafters which adds r value and eliminates thermal bridging through wood rafters. A vent baffle should be installed between the insulation and the roof decking to maintain the ventilation channel. Insulating the roof is a priority if the ceilings of your home happen to be part of the roof deck as is the case with cathedral ceilings. Having chosen to insulate your rafters and potentially use the loft space as an extension of your living area.

Other key prep steps before you insulate. Consider using high density r 30 batts which are as thick as r 25 batts but fit into 2x10 framing. This means insulating between or below the sloping beams that form the construction and support a sloping roof. Whether you need to insulate your roof rafters will depend on what you intend to do in the space directly beneath the rafters.

Knock these to dos off your list to ensure that your insulation will last for years and keep conditioned air where it belongs. If your attic is often used or perhaps you plan to convert it in the future you will need to insulate the inner surfaces of the roof. Insulating the pitched roof. Materials commonly used for the insulation of the roof deck include.