Vaulted attic ceilings add beauty and grandeur to many homes in Missouri, but they can also be a major energy drain if not properly insulated. Heat rises, and an uninsulated vaulted ceiling can become a highway for warm air to escape during winter and cool air to enter in summer, making HVAC systems work overtime and raising utility bills.

Traditional insulation like fiberglass batt Insulation Contractor, which is often installed in flat ceilings, is not an ideal solution for vaulted ceilings because it doesn’t prevent air movement. Moreover, the tight space between the ceiling and roof sheathing means that vaulted ceilings typically require a higher R-value than level ceilings.

Insulating Vaulted Attic Ceilings: Techniques for Hard-to-Reach Spaces

Fortunately, newer options have emerged that are more effective at insulating vaulted ceilings. Specifically, spray foam is an excellent choice because it both seals and insulates, providing high R-values while minimizing heat loss or gain.

In addition to preventing heat transfer, spray foam can reduce noise and moisture problems that affect comfort and home health. Closed-cell spray foam blocks drafts, provides a strong barrier against pests and humidity, and inhibits mold, mildew, and rot. Open-cell foam, on the other hand, is vapor permeable and dampens sound and is ideal for vented vaulted ceilings with soffit or ridge vents.

If your house has a vaulted ceiling, seal and insulate it up to party walls (see Part 5.1, General considerations for all attics) and recessed light fixtures. Rigid foam board can be fastened directly to the rafters and studs, and a continuous polyethylene air and vapour barrier should be stapled to the underside of the attic floor.

Georgia Insulation Atlanta
Atlanta, GA 30349
(470) 764-7083