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Are insulation baffles necessary?
So while not every home will have attic soffit vents and baffles, it may be a necessary part of keeping your home safe from mold, condensation, and costly repairs. Additionally, if you have intake or attic soffit vents, baffles are required. Attic vent baffles also prevent clogging in your soffits.
Where do you put insulation baffles?
To install the rafter vents, staple them directly to the roof decking. Rafter vents come in 4-foot lengths and 14-1/2 and 22-1/2 inch widths for different rafter spacings. Rafter vents should be placed in your attic ceiling in between the rafters at the point where your attic ceiling meets your attic floor.
Do you need baffles with batt insulation?
Baffles are required anywhere the insulation can block vents or get too close non-insulation rated recessed fixtures (can lights). Mostly we use insulation baffles prevent blockage of soffit vents from blown in insulation. Batt insulation can simply be held back and physical baffling isn’t really needed.
Are cardboard attic baffles good?
The foam baffles hold up in Michigan’s humidity, whereas cardboard baffles can absorb moisture causing them to fall and be ineffective. In addition to offering airflow in your attic space, baffles keep attic insulation off your roof deck, which is especially important for cold Michigan winters.
Can you put too much insulation in attic?
It’s possible to over-insulate an attic as too much will cause moisture buildup and eventually result in mold. Eventually, adding more insulation leads to diminishing returns in trapping heat as well.
Should I install rafter vents?
To get the best performance out of your insulation year in, year out, you would do well to install rafter vents in your attic. That air flow helps keep the attic cooler during the summer, and during the winter, it helps keep ice from forming on the edge of the roof. It also guards against mold, mildew, and rot.
Do I need baffles If no soffit vents?
But not all homes have an overhanging roof line or soffit vents. Without them it is actually easier to insulate your attic, because you do not have to worry about covering up the vents or installing rafter baffles to ensure the vents breathe.
How far apart should soffit vents be?
How Far Apart Should Soffit Vents Be? The ideal space between soffit vents will depend on your roof’s total square footage (or attic) and the number of soffit vents used to ventilate it. It’s recommended that all soffit vents be spaced at equal distances from one another on the sides of your roof under the eaves.
Can insulation touch the roof?
Attic insulation should not touch the roof. Although it can be tempting to over insulate, resist the urge. Too much insulation hinders airflow and can keep excess moisture from escaping, especially in attics.
Should an attic be vented?
When done correctly, attic venting can reduce the potential for condensation in winter and summer. During winter, the primary cause of attic moisture issues stem from warm moist air infiltrating into the attic space from the inhabited areas and condensing on cold surfaces.
Should you insulate the underside of your roof?
Preserve The Attic’s Airflow The airflow from the soffits to the ridge vent keeps the roof cool and prevents ice dams, and the material will block that flow. For the same reason, insulation shouldn’t touch the roof’s underside.
How do you secure insulation to rafters?
The friction of the fiberglass insulation material against the rafters, baffles and plywood or wood slats is typically enough to hold it in place. You can assist the friction hold by adding metal wires or bands on the inside of rafters near the edges.
How do you use cardboard insulation?
Put simply, yes it does. Cardboard has air pockets between two layers and this slows down the transfer of heat from one side to the other, and any warm air that gets into the air pocket can stay between these layers for a long period of time and maintain its temperature.
Why do we need attic baffles?
But the truth is that your roof, particularly the attic, must be properly ventilated with outside air to perform its best. Attic baffles help to promote attic ventilation. When it does that, it removes damp, stagnant attic air and replaces it with clean dry air.
How many inches of insulation should be in my attic?
R-Value is a measure of insulation’s ability to resist heat flow. The higher the R-Value, the better the thermal performance of the insulation. The recommended level for most attics is to insulate to R-38 or about 10 to 14 inches, depending on insulation type.
Should I insulate between the rafters in my attic?
Why you can’t just insulate between the rafters The general advice we give is that you should always insulate between and above the rafters (warm roof) or between and under the rafters (cold roof).
How much difference does attic insulation make?
One of the places in your home where a little bit of attention can make a big difference in your comfort — and heating bill — is the attic. According to the Department of Energy, properly insulating the attic can save 10 to 50 percent on a typical heating bill.
