In this video, This Old House general contractor Tom Silva shows affordable ways to create an energy-efficient attic.
Project details
Skill
Cost
Estimated Time
Steps for Insulating an Attic with Fiberglass
- Cut fiberglass batts to fit tightly between floor joists.
- Lay the fiberglass batt between the joists with the paper vapor barrier facing down toward the heated space. Lightly press the batt down between the joists. Note: When installing insulation along the eaves, be careful not to cover the soffit vents.
- Use unfaced fiberglass batts to insulate over existing insulation.
- Add a second layer of insulation by lying unfaced fiberglass batts perpendicular to the floor joists. Butt the batts tightly together for maximum efficiency.
- To insulate under the attic floor, use a pump to blow in fiberglass loose-fill insulation.
- Insert the hose under the floor and turn on the blower.
- As the loose-fill insulation packs tightly into the space beneath the floor, it will slowly push out the hose. Turn off the blower when the void is completely filled.
Materials
- Work gloves
- Knee pads
- Dusk masks
- Safety goggles
Tools
Related
How to Insulate a Crawl Space
Tools & Materials
- Utility knife
- Insulation blower