Proper Way To Insulate A Vaulted Ceiling

Cathedral ceilings were once popular due to their grandiose height and appearance but these days many people avoid it because it is difficult to get proper cathedral ceiling insulation installed.

Proper way to insulate a vaulted ceiling. The best way to install the batts is in 4 foot high rows from one side of the vaulted ceiling to the other. Once the lower row is in place you might have to add another section to the scaffold. The craze for insulated cathedral ceilings and great rooms really took off in the 1970s and 1980s when examples began popping up like mushrooms after a warm rain. First there is the traditional moisture control method in which insulation is installed on the bottom of the cavity and a ventilation area is left on top of the insulation so that moisture moving through the insulation enters the.

This article explains the requirements and takes you through the steps on insulating a vaulted ceiling. Then insulate below with fiberglass or cellulose add a vapor retarder and your finish ceiling. Sprayed against the underside of the roof deck it seals against air movement eliminating the need for a vapor barrier or ventilation. Illustration by ian worpole.

Vaulted ceiling insulation is quite a complex process when done without knowing the proper techniques. Cathedral ceilings are a feature in many homes that add to value to the house because the high ceiling tends to make rooms look larger. In those days most builders stuffed cathedral ceiling rafter bays with fiberglass batts. When tom insulates a cathedral ceiling or a finished attic he also turns to foam.

But its open cell structure still allows moisture to escape. Easy step by step instructions for vaulted ceiling insulation. Insulated cathedral ceilings are a relatively recent phenomenon. It provides an open airy look and feel to the room and they are often in demand among home buyers.

A cathedral ceiling is a sloping and pointed ceiling which is usually high and open. You ll want a tight ceiling air barrier with no air leakage into the cathedral ceiling a critical detail for all cathedral ceiling designs.