Should You Insulate Your Roof Rafters

Insulating between rafters will do no good because the attic should be ventilated and the rafter insulation would be between two unheated spaces.

Should you insulate your roof rafters.

Consider using high density r 30 batts which are as thick as r 25 batts but fit into 2x10 framing. Reed hedges dec 10 10 at 20 06. You can add insulation to the floor. Install ventilation baffles into the space between the rafters before you install the insulation usually by stapling into place.

The airflow from the soffits to the ridge vent keeps the roof cool and prevents ice dams and the material will block that flow. The first decision is whether to insulate a pitched roof at ceiling or rafter level. You can also add rigid foam insulation under the rafters which adds r value and eliminates thermal bridging through wood rafters. If your attic is going to be converted into livable space then you will need to insulate the roof rafters.

For the same reason insulation shouldn t touch the roof s underside. The current trend is for a warm roof where insulation is installed between the rafters thereby keeping the roof timbers warm. Polyurethane or polystyrene spray foams can provide thorough coverage to roof rafters and attic walls in much less time than is needed for other materials. If you have vents in the walls of the attic or in the roof ridge then the insulation can go all the way to the roof.

Place the plastic sheeting on top of the rolled insulation. If the plastic sheeting is in pieces overlap the pieces by 8 inches and staple it in place directly to the roof rafters and the wall. Whether or not there is an inner roof lining and the total thickness of the roof structure. The idea is to allow some air to circulate through some part of the attic under the roof but outside the insulation to prevent moisture build up.

Do not use plastic sheeting in this case. In order to avoid damage to the roof deck you should insulate ceilings to create an air barrier between the living space and an unfinished attic or airspace underneath the roof deck. The technically correct approach depends on a number of factors. If there is a floor you will need to remove it to properly insulate the roof rafters.

Unlike solid insulation products that require careful measurement cutting and fitting spray foam can cover even the most uneven surface instantly. A vent baffle should be installed between the insulation and the roof decking to maintain the ventilation channel.