Proper Insulation of Attic Trusses

Insulation Types

• Batt insulation provides a convenient method for insulating the gaps between your attic trusses. This type of insulation consists of a synthetic fiber, usually fiberglass, attached to backing and rolled up for easy transport. Loose-fill insulation consists of smaller particles of loose insulation that are blown into place. This type of insulation has the advantage of conforming to and filling the spaces in your attic, but it is subject to settling, which causes it to lose some of its insulating ability over time. The third type of insulation that is useful for insulating around trusses is spray foam insulation. This type of insulation has the same useful properties of loose-fill insulation but isn't subject to settling. This type of insulation is also handy for small-scale applications.

Plugging Gaps

• Plugging the gaps in your ceiling will increase your home's energy efficiency. Conduit, wiring and other fixtures in your ceiling are common areas where air passes freely between the attic and your living areas. These objects are often anchored to the trusses in your attic, making them a common trouble spot for air leaks. Locating the gaps in your ceiling around the trusses and plugging them with spray foam insulation is a cost-effective method for improving the efficiency of your existing insulation.

Insulating Trusses

• The trusses supporting your roof are often a source of heat loss during the winter. Unless the truss chords -- the horizontal part of the truss -- are covered with insulation, heat can escape from your living areas through conduction. Covering the trusses using loose-fill insulation is one effective method for preventing this kind of heat loss. Installing reflective insulating panels above the truss chords in combination with your existing insulation will also improve energy efficiency.

Finished Rooms

• Attic trusses are often installed to provide space in the attic for storage or a finished room. If your attic contains a finished room without insulation, you can improve its energy efficiency by attaching batt or foam board insulation to the backside of the walls between the vertical members of the attic trusses. Using spray foam insulation to close air gaps for any wiring or fixtures running into your finished attic space will further reduce your energy costs.