I have Insulated AC flex duct work in my attic. Am I correct in that since its insulated already if I lay insulation over the duct work it is fine as long as the duct work is sealed properly? I have R11 4' x 100' rolls and it might be difficult to get the entire roll under the flex ductwork. I could cut the rolls down and line them up but was hoping for one continuous roll out.
Can attic insulation be rolled over ductwork
atticductsinsulation
Related Solutions
The most direct answer to your insulation question is fairly simple. Your goal should be to have insulation equaling an "R" value of 40 or above on top of the ceiling of the second floor.
The cheapest method for a DIYer is to roll out unfaced fiberglass insulation over any existing insulation. We don't know what you have now, "R" value or type. That would be a helpful factor in determining how much more you should add.
But with that said, here are some general guidelines:
- Standard fiberglass blanket insulation adds between 3.2 to 3.4 "R" per inch. Example: 3 1/2" insulation = R-11, 5 1/2" = R-19, etc.
- This comes in rolls either 15 1/2" or 23" wide.
It is fairly easy to install, but precautions must be taken not to breath in any fiberglass dust or expose skin. Dust mask and light weight full clothing is good.
Also be careful moving around in your attic. You must keep your weight on the ceiling joists, never step on the actual ceiling or you may find yourself in the room below. A few boards strategically located across a few joists can make a walkway and can be moved as you work.
If you are completely inexperienced, perhaps you can get the help of a friend with a little DIY experience to help you out. Added insulation is always a good investment and will give you a fast payback on your A/C energy costs.
If any of my fellow SE guru's have any good video tutorial links, please add them.
Good Luck.
Owens Corning's 3" Type 75 SOFTR® Duct Wrap FRK, touts and installed R-value of 8.3.
If it's not in-stock at your local big box store, they should be able to order it for you.
I am in no way affiliated with Owens Corning, and do not recommend or endorse the use of any of their products or services.
Related Topic
- Install insulation over the HVAC duct work and plywood
- Pull insulated flex duct over rigid duct
- Insulate rigid rectangular duct
- Safe to put old white paper-backed fiberglass insulation on metal ductwork
- How best to secure rigid duct near a ceiling penetration
- How to correctly add flooring to insulated attic
Best Answer
You can cover the ducts with more insulation -- just make sure to mark where they are, and provide a way for the HVAC tech to access any dampers, etal.
(Sidenote: given your location, an unvented, insulated compact roof could very well be a better bet -- this makes the attic part of the conditioned space, and eliminates the hunt for duct leaks.)