Proper Insulation

By: Max Alexander, This Old House magazine (Page 7 of 7)

Illustration: Ian Worpole

Photo: Burt Welleford

Illustration: Ian Worpole

Enlarge this image Illustration: Ian Worpole

Illustration: Ian Worpole

Enlarge this image Illustration: Ian Worpole

radiant barriers reflect thermal radiation

Photo: David Hamsley

Vapor blocker diagram for various climates

Illustration: Ian Worpole

Photo: David Hamsley

Browse Images

How-To Video

Browse More

How to Insulate an Attic

In this how-to video, This Old House general contractor Tom Silva and host Kevin O'Connor demonstrate the proper way to insulate an attic

Watch The Video

On Newsstands Now

In the Magazine

Reinvent your rooms with color

What You'll Learn:

Where to Find It

Heat Blockers—
Radiant Barriers:
Techshield Sheathing
Huntersville, NC
800-648-6893
www.lpcorp.com

Reflectix Insulation:
Markleville, IN
800-879-3645
www.reflectixinc.com

Insulation options—
Cotton Batts
Bonded Logic Inc.
Chandler, AZ
480-812-9114
www.bondedlogic.com

Loose-fill fiberglass:
Johns Manville Building Insulation Division
Denver, CO
800-258-2463
www.jm.com

Extruded polystyrene:
Dow Chemical Company
Midland, MI
800-258-2436
www.dow.com

Cellulose:
Cocoon Insulation
U.S. GreenFiber, LLC
Charlotte, NC
888-592-7684
www.cocooninsulation.com

Cellulose Insulation Manufacturers Association
Dayton, OH
888-881-2462

Fiberglass batts:
Johns Manville Building Insulation Division

High-density spray foam:
BioBased Systems
Spring Valley, IL
800-803-5189
www.biobased.net

Mineral Wool:
Thermal-fiber
Wabash, IN
888-834-2371
www.thermafiber.com

Low-density polyurethane spray foam:
Icynene Insulation System
800-758-7325
www.icynene.com

Foil-faced polyisocyanurate:
Dow Chemical Company
Midland, MI