Should Attic Insulation Be Faced or Unfaced: An Expert's Guide

When deciding between faced or unfaced attic insulation for your home, consider your desired application and existing types of insulation in your home. Learn more about these two types of attic insulations from an expert's perspective.

Should Attic Insulation Be Faced or Unfaced: An Expert's Guide

The choice of coated or uncoated attic insulation depends on the application and whether any type of insulation already exists. Air migrates from warmer to colder spaces, and insulation is designed to help prevent or, at least, delay that migration. The coating is a thin layer of paper or plastic attached to one side of the insulating wadding, which is sold on a roll. Coated insulation cannot make the same claim that it is not combustible because of the flammable paper vapor barrier that is firmly attached to the insulation.

In addition, the staples don't work well with uncoated insulation, so the installer must rely on the insulation to attach to the wall or ceiling. The choice of coated or uncoated insulation depends on the application and whether any type of insulation already exists. This is because the insulation is held together thanks to the paper vapor barrier, which allows the coated insulation to be rolled, moved and stapled without breaking. If the vapor barrier is trapped between two layers of insulation, it can cause moisture to accumulate inside the insulation and the growth of mold and mildew on the walls of the house.

The vapor barrier of the front insulation can cause problems if it is not taken into account when stacking the insulation. Tom also talks about using cellulose insulation or using rigid foam on floorboards to allow storage and add insulation to an attic. Valley Insulation uses a cellulose insulator called Nu-Wool, a high-quality insulator known for its fireproof and anti-pest capacity. Install deflectors against the roof covering between the beams so that the insulation does not seal these air circulation paths. Some installers add a plastic vapor barrier over the uncoated insulation to block moisture and help secure the insulation to the target surface. Insulation without coating does not have the same cohesion strength, so it is more prone to breakage during installation.

DIYers looking for a way to facilitate home insulation should consider using coated insulation instead of uncoated insulation, since coated insulation is usually much easier to install.

Faced vs Unfaced Attic Insulation

When it comes to attic insulation, there are two main options: faced or unfaced. Faced attic insulation has a thin layer of paper or plastic attached to one side of its wadding, while unfaced attic insulation does not have this layer. The choice between faced or unfaced attic insulation depends on several factors, including existing types of insulation in your home and your desired application. Faced attic insulation has several advantages over unfaced attic insulation. For starters, it has better cohesion strength due to its paper vapor barrier, which allows it to be rolled, moved and stapled without breaking apart.

This makes it easier for installers to attach it securely to walls and ceilings without relying on staples alone. Additionally, faced attic insulation can help prevent moisture accumulation inside your home by blocking out moisture from entering through air circulation paths between beams in your roof covering. On the other hand, unfaced attic insulation does not have this paper vapor barrier and therefore does not have as much cohesion strength as faced attic insulation. This means that installers must rely on other methods such as staples or plastic vapor barriers in order to secure it in place. Additionally, if unfaced attic insulation is stacked between two layers of existing insulation, it can cause moisture accumulation inside your home due to its lack of a vapor barrier.

Making Your Choice

When deciding between faced or unfaced attic insulation for your home, consider your desired application and existing types of insulation in your home.

If you are looking for an easier installation process with better cohesion strength and moisture protection, then faced attic insulation may be your best option. However, if you are looking for an economical option with less hassle during installation, then unfaced attic insulation may be more suitable for you. No matter which type of attic insulation you choose for your home, make sure you consult with an expert before making any decisions. Valley Insulation offers high-quality cellulose insulators such as Nu-Wool that are known for their fireproof and anti-pest capabilities.

Additionally, they can provide advice on how best to install deflectors against your roof covering in order to ensure proper air circulation paths between beams in your roof covering.