How To Insulate A Vaulted Ceiling

This ceiling type involves the installation of a ceiling that is not attached directly to the roof rafters.

How to insulate a vaulted ceiling.

Then insulate below with fiberglass or cellulose add a vapor retarder and your finish ceiling. Bernice from midland ontario wants to know how to get more insulation into her vaulted or cathedral ceiling the common problem with structures like this that we call compact roofs is that there is not usually enough space for a lot of insulation and a lot of ventilation. Anything in the area to be vaulted will have to be relocated. Stand on a ladder and using a caulk gun seal any areas where there is visible wiring or plumbing.

If you want to insulate your cathedral ceiling properly then you need to develop another method of keeping in heat while avoiding becoming a target for mold and damp. Seal all ceiling openings. Vaulted ceilings require venting as well as insulation. You ll want a tight ceiling air barrier with no air leakage into the cathedral ceiling a critical detail for all cathedral ceiling designs.

This type of ceiling is insulated in the same manner that you would insulate a standard attic space. That is create a vent channel above the insulation with low and high vents. If you decide to use a batting insulation on your ceiling then avoid another mistake and ensure that you caulk around the area thoroughly. Insulate a cathedral ceiling by ensuring there is no opportunity for drafts to get into the room.

R value insulation receives a rating. Calculate the r value of your vaulted ceiling based on the existing insulation. You ll need an hvac contractor to determine whether your heating system can handle the increased volume of a room with a vaulted ceiling. Insulating a vaulted ceiling is similar to insulating exterior walls with one notable difference.

In fact when the only space you have is that left by a 2x8 or even a 2x10 you really can t do a perfect job of both.