Proper Foam Insulating From Soffit To Attic

Insulation stops also known as attic baffles or rafter vents are designed to provide adequate air flow from the soffit vents to the gable or ridge vents in a home s attic.

Proper foam insulating from soffit to attic. As with attic floor insulation moisture and heat removal are the reasons for creating proper air. Earlier this year i got a question about a home that had spray foam insulation in the attic. Aside from the technical aspects of insulating and venting an attic without a soffit this is a project that requires both experience and expertise. Nothing unusual about that.

If there s blown in insulation like ours rake back the fluffy stuff with a 3 or 4 ft long 1 x 6 or use a garden rake or hoe. It has been said that insulating with spray foam insulation at the roof line will lead to moisture problems with the roof sheathing. Then cover the foam with drywall as required for fire safety. Whereas too little spray foam insulation can leave for thermal bypass because of the complete lack of insulation in the attic.

The soffit vents are now installed but you still need to make sure there s no insulation blocking the new vents. Baffles establish a channel for air to circulate between the insulation and the roof sheathing. Foam blocks airflow needs no vapor barrier and has a higher r value per inch than loose fill or batts so you ll get more protection with less depth. If you re finishing your attic insulating it to the proper r value can cause a dramatic loss of headroom if you limit yourself to fiberglass batts.

In terms of product batt insulation will be different than blown insulation which will be different than spray polyurethane foam insulation. A lot of builders and homeowners are going with spray foam insulation because of the airtightness benefits but then the questioner mentioned that the spray foam contractor had intentionally left big holes to the outside by not sealing the gable vents. With spray foam unlike with loose fill or batts you must cover the soffit vents they aren t needed to keep the roof cool.