Insulation Unfinished Attic Vs Finished Attic

Install batting between the attic s floor joists.

Insulation unfinished attic vs finished attic.

The goal with an unfinished attic is to seal it off from the main living space below. First check for head clearance. This means you should insulate between and over the floor joists. This is a huge difference that i learned the hard way.

Part 2 of my story please understand the difference between a unfinished attic finished attic and half story. Since parts of a finished attic are usually very close to the roof insulation often blocks proper ventilation that is needed under a roof structure. But if you ve got an unfinished attic giving it proper insulation is one of the simplest ways to keep a lid on your heating bill this season. I have an unfinished space above my garage that i always thought was an attic.

There s a chance you ll need to enlarge the system if your attic wasn t heated or cooled previously so call in a pro to make sure it s up to snuff. Without properly ventilating the roof your finished space can be just as unpleasant as an unfinished attic. Achieving greater r values in attics the higher the r value the better the thermal performance of the insulation. Unfinished or uninsulated attics need a layer of protection against air migration.

It does have a door from my daughter s bedroom that we use as storage. The batting material must be faced and at least as thick as. For maximum comfort create a separate zone within your hvac system for the finished space. Fiberglass insulation has an r value of roughly 3 0 per inch of thickness.

Cellulose is has an r value of almost 4 0 per inch. Without properly insulating your finished attic room will also be cold in the winter. Make sure you complete the installation correctly for the best results. It s a diy project you can tackle in a weekend and the savings you ll get add up every year says toh general contractor tom silva.

In warmer climates an r value of 30 is recommended. Your attic has a climate of its own. In colder northern climates an r value of 49 is recommended for adequate attic insulation. Find your zone on the map and then use the chart to determine the level of insulation you need to properly insulate your attic walls floors and crawlspaces.

When insulating an attic you should also consider how your attic is. Warmer in both summer and winter if it s well insulated. To meet all three goals insulating your finished attic ventilating the roof and maximizing headroom use a combination of dense batt insulation rigid foam sheeting and air chutes. That s measured after you finish the ceiling if you don t have enough height you ll have to raise the roof line and that adds a lot to your construction costs.

Building codes vary by location but most require at least a 7 foot clearance for attic expansions.