How Thick Should Insulation Be For Attic Walls

First things first you need to go up into your attic inspect the condition of the insulation and calculate the current level of insulation.

How thick should insulation be for attic walls.

This flexible insulation material is most often packaged in rolls that come in various thicknesses and standard widths usually 16 inches and 24 inches to fit between joists or studs in a house s framing. 3 1 2 inches two by four 2x4 stud walls. Your attic should have a certain amount of insulation in it and the recommended level of insulation for your attic is dependent on where you live. Measure the length and width of the area you need to insulate.

6 1 4 inches two by six 2x6 stud walls. It is not uncommon to see 15 to 20 of insulation in a well insulated attic. They come with or without a paper or foil facing that acts as a vapor barrier. 3 1 2 inches two by four 2x4 stud walls with true 4 inch depth.

R 38 is the industry standard and the minimum thickness for r 38 is 12 inches. Existing 3 4 inches of insulation. The insulation in your attic should be at least 12 thick. Best insulation for 2x4 and 2x6 wall studs.

Achieving greater r values in attics the higher the r value the better the thermal performance of the insulation. If your current insulation is only five inches deep you will need to add seven inches of insulation to achieve the 12 inch r 38 rating. Because high performance batts achieve the same r value as standard insulation and are not as thick they need not be compressed to fit the angles and spaces typically found in cathedral ceilings. Appropriate for this wall type.

You d need a thickness of. R 38 high performance batts are 10 to 10 1 4 thick as opposed to standard r 38 fiberglass insulation batts of 12. Inspecting your attic insulation. Recommended insulation levels for retrofitting existing wood framed buildings.

Add insulation to attic. They range from around 1 to 3 inches in thickness and can be used in multiple applications ranging from walls to attics. Measure the area needing 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.