Attic Insulation Paper Side Up Or Down

We are purchasing a used home soon but the inspection report says that the attic insulation paper side is facing down into the crawl space and should be removed replaced since the paper side states that it is flammable.

Attic insulation paper side up or down.

The right barrier will block the moisture from reaching the insulation. Add weatherstripping around the perimeter and a sweep to the door of a walk up attic. Affix rigid foam insulation to the attic side of the hatch or door. The vapor barrier is flammable and according to the manufacturer s label on the insulation the vapor barrier should be installed against the floor.

If you put it on the right side where the humidity is it s not much of a vapor retarder. It can also cause mold rot and other problems in the wall. So if you re installing insulation in an attic that doesn t have any used faced insulation and put the paper side down toward the ceiling. The upshot here is that if you put the kraft paper on the wrong side and it gets wet it won t trap moisture.

Even if the attic space is unheated it typically is warmer than the. Make sure the first layer you put down on the floor of the. Dont know about your location but here a ceiling installation calls for no vapor barrier. Fuzzy side faces away from you paper towards you.

Fiberglass batts insulation is installed in the crawl space with the paper facing exposed. The warmer air on one outer side of the wall causes water to build up along the colder inner side. Always have the paper toward the living area which in the case of an unfinished attic insulating attic floor would be paper face down. It is a fire hazard when left exposed and can trap moisture in the insulation.

Paper backed insulation is cut to fit betwen the studs or rafters and has little flaps on either side to secure the insulation w staples. Foil insulation underlayment is recommended under a metal roof and in most cases the shiny side should be facing up but there s a catch. Then you hang drywall over it all. When using insulation that has either paper or plastic facing that moisture barrier faces outward toward the attic space.

Pull down stair or ladder. Attic hatch or door. You only want one vapor barrier in your attic and it should be as close to the ceiling as possible to prevent warm moist air from coming up from the heated house and condensing when it hits the cold air in the attic. The moisture will get the insulation wet and reduce its effectiveness.

The wetter it gets the better it dries.