Hi Kim, Regardless of whether fiberglass insulation is installed in a wall, attic, or crawlspace;
the paper facing should always face toward the inside of the home
. That’s because the paper contains a layer of asphalt adhesive which prevents water vapor from passing through it.
What happens if insulation is installed backwards?
The problem is that
the paper acts as a vapor barrier
. So if it is installed upside down, the paper moisture barrier can actually keep moisture in-between the paper and the sub-flooring. This can lead to mold issues, as well as structural deterioration.
Does it matter what side of insulation faces out?
(The general rule for insulation is that
the facing always goes toward the conditioned space
.) The second layer of insulation should be unfaced so that moisture doesn’t collect between the layers. … Batts are best for small spaces.
Does the foil side of insulation go in or out?
The foil insulation
goes on top of the moisture barrier
, followed by the roof covering. If you use bubble foil or rigid foam insulation, it also goes on top of the moisture barrier. Remember that there has to be an air space between the foil and the roofing.
Which side does vapor barrier go on?
Vapor barriers are usually best installed on
the side of the wall
that experiences the hotter temperature and moister conditions: the inner surface in colder climates and the outer surface in hot, humid climates.
Is there a wrong way to install insulation?
Regardless of whether fiberglass insulation is installed in a wall, attic, or crawlspace;
the paper facing should always face toward the inside of the home
. That’s because the paper contains a layer of asphalt adhesive which prevents water vapor from passing through it.
Can you take facing off insulation?
Luckily, the
Kraft paper facing
is easy to remove. Simply pull on the facing with one hand and use the other hand to push the batt or roll away from the facing. Then, you’ll be able to proceed with the repair.
Which way does kraft paper face?
Kraft-faced insulation should be installed in exterior walls, exterior basement walls, and attic ceilings by pressing the product into the wall cavity with
the paper side facing outward
, towards the installer. The insulation should be snug in the cavity, but not compressed.
What kind of insulation should I use for exterior walls?
Typical recommendations for exterior walls are
R-13 to R-23
, while R-30, R-38 and R-49 are common for ceilings and attic spaces. See the Department of Energy’s (DOE) ranges for recommended levels of insulation below.
Does foil insulation need an air gap?
not emitting heat), and it’s basically the inverse of reflectivity. Foil has an emissivity of 0.03, or 3%. …
You MUST have an air gap in
order to get either the emissivity quality or the reflectivity quality that you’re looking for, otherwise the foil will not work as a radiant barrier.
What is foil faced insulation used for?
Foil-faced batt insulation
helps keep interior heat inside the living area when placed in the attic
with the foil side down. This also helps prevent moisture migration to the attic through the batts.
Should you put plastic over insulation before drywall?
Normally interior walls do not require a vapor barrier, but there are some situations where it is highly recommended. … A
continuous plastic
vapor barrier behind the drywall will protect the interior walls of these areas from water damage.
Can you put plastic over unfaced insulation?
More than likely, installing an additional layer of poly over kraft facing won’t cause any problems — it’s no more risky than if the wall had only unfaced batts and poly — and the risk of using poly on the interior is relatively low in a cold climate like New York’s.
Should the vapor barrier be on the warm side or cold side?
In order to prevent condensation from forming, a vapor barrier should be placed on
the warm side of your insulation
to stop warm, moist air from condensing on a cold surface inside your wall. In cold climates like Canada, for most of the year the vapor barrier should be on the inside of the insulation.
