We take a look at how radiant barriers work the different types of radiant barriers and some of the.
Attic insulation barrier on top of kraft.
For this reason faced insulation is typically installed on the.
Faced insulation should not be placed on top of existing insulation in the attic.
The vapor retarder on top of or between layers of insulation can trap moisture.
However stapling insulation in this manner creates and improper seating of the drywall during installation.
In any case the vapor barrier must point to the warm side.
The purpose of insulation facing.
Any new batt or roll insulation installed over existing insulation in the attic needs to be without a vapor retarder face.
Unfaced means the insulation lacks a vapor retarder paper or plastic facing.
Vapor barriers are sheets of plastic or other material placed on one side of insulation sheets.
Some products are fiber reinforced to increase durability and ease of handling.
Kraft paper and its underlying asphalt adhesive are flammable and should always be covered with drywall or other fire resistant material.
The facing on kraft faced insulation is made of kraft paper with an asphalt coating that makes the paper impermeable to water vapor.
When adding additional insulation to an attic that is already insulated never use insulation with a vapor barrier.
A radiant barrier can lower heat transfer from attics to the building below keep the attic space cooler and lower cooling costs by up to 17 in warmer climates.
If you do there is a chance that moisture that has slipped by the first vapor barrier will become trapped by the second vapor barrier decreasing the value of your insulation.
Radiant barriers consist of a highly reflective material usually aluminum foil which is applied to one or both sides of a number of substrate materials such as kraft paper plastic films cardboard oriented strand board and air infiltration barrier material.
The paper creates a vapor barrier that helps keep the water vapor in the warm moist heated indoor air from migrating outward into the wall or other structure.
This barrier is meant to keep moisture from getting to the insulation in the walls and ceilings and it is required by building codes when insulating most houses.
Kraft faced insulation includes a paper vapor retarder which helps prevent mold and mildew.
Except in hot coastal regions insulation should be installed with the kraft paper or plastic vapor barrier on the interior side of the wall.