Vaulted Ceiling Insulation Detail

Hi can someone tell me the best technique for insulating a vaulted ceiling.

Vaulted ceiling insulation detail.

There are several options for installing insulation in a vaulted ceiling. Vaulted ceilings bring a sense of openness to a home. Find out why and if it s worth it. In a vaulted ceiling however the only fresh air route lies between the insulation and the underside of the roof deck.

Cathedral vaulted or any ceiling that has insulation blocking the airflow from the soffit vents to the attic needs an attic baffle in each rafter bay. Among the easiest options is to install rigid insulation sheets over the rafters which not only provides insulation but also the structural function of enclosing the roof. Another type of roof insulation is spray foam insulation although. You ll want a tight ceiling air barrier with no air leakage into the cathedral ceiling a critical detail for all cathedral ceiling designs.

Without fresh air from the soffit vents your roof top vents such as. 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. While fiberglass insulation is an excellent and effective product for insulating most building cavities in areas where there is extra risk of trapping moisture and thus rot or mold infections such as crawl spaces and cathedral ceilings where roof venting may be absent or minimal we prefer to use closed cell foam insulation products or spray. That is create a vent channel above the insulation with low and high vents.

Although many view this as a new method as stated previously many contractors have been doing this for years. But a higher ceiling may mean higher construction and energy costs. It provides an open airy look and feel to the room and they are often in demand among home buyers. To keep fiberglass batts from blocking airflow rafter baffles should be.

Utilizing cellulose insulation contractors blow the cathedral ceiling cavity completely full and do away with the need for outside ventilation. I have spoken to an insulation company and they have said the reason for putting insulation under the rafters is to stop thermal bridging as there is not much thermal properties within an 8x2. Without an attic baffle there will not be any air space for fresh air to enter the attic from the soffit vents. Then insulate below with fiberglass or cellulose add a vapor retarder and your finish ceiling.

Yes a cathedral ceiling detail would be very similar but the challenge of many cathedral ceilings is the added structural elements electrical boxes and the desire for wood board ceilings all which start compromising the drywall layer which in your detail is used at the air barrier.