Even if not used as living space, it must be insulated and ventilated because the attic is a delicate area of your home.
Consider turning attic into a living space. So make of this place, a comfortable place. It is compulsory the execution of insulation and ventilation to keep the attic, cozy in winter and cool in summer.
These improvements will help prevent moisture and mold, to create a fresh atmosphere in winter and summer days. After all, the attic is one of the main poles through which heat losses occur, being positioned above the house. It protects the house, regardless of the season with quality insulation products and ventilation systems.
Attic even if not used, should be treated as a room. It is wrong to consider it as an unused space that should not be insulated or ventilated. From the thermal energy needs through an uninsulated roof occurs more than 30% heat loss. An optimum insulation is required, as the roof is thin in comparison with the outer walls. Insulation must provide thermal protection and acoustic, against fire and water from inside or outside.
Attic floor insulation is a simple operation if you follow the sequence of application of layers. For a flat surface floor underlay consists of bonding a foil of aluminum, polyethylene wax paper or roofing felt, with the aid of adhesive. This prevents damp and moisture to reach the ceiling of the room below.
For thermal insulation can be used, mineral wool, expanded polystyrene, polyurethane or foamed polystyrene. Condensation is collected in the creation of air pockets if the layers are not bonded closed. Thermal insulator should be placed between these elements, if the attic floor is composed of uncovered exposed beams.
The order of application is reversed when you insulate the roof from the inside. It is placed first the layer of mineral wool or polystyrene as sheathing between rafters. It installed a second layer of insulation over the rafters and above aluminum foil or polyethylene as a vapor barrier and proper venting to stop condensation.
Air currents set in motion due to gravity do not circulate with the required intensity in the space under the roof. When humidity is high, this situation can be improved by installing a ventilation fan system that will accelerate the change of air, since air may remain wet and condensed on the underside of the roof, causing mold. Attic ventilation helps keep the attic temperature and humidity at an optimum level in the winter and summer.
In winter the ideal temperature in the attic is similar to the outside one, that is cool and dry; in summer, the air must circulate so that the space to be as cool as possible.
Remember that attic is a transition zone, and should be treated differently from other areas of the house.
Here, you will discover another amazing post about home attic:
How to Turn Your Home Attic into a Living Space (howtobuildahouseblog.com)