Either kraft faced as shown in figure 2 or unfaced as shown in figure 3 exterior wall insulation can be used to insulate basement walls with r values ranging from 11 to 21.
Faced or unfaced insulation in interior walls.
Kraft faced insulation should be installed in exterior walls exterior basement walls and attic ceilings by pressing the product into the wall cavity with the paper side facing outward towards the installer.
The same is true for an attic floor.
The batts come in widths to fit standard 16 19 2 and 24 inch stud spacing.
By contrast unfaced insulation is plain insulation that doesn t have a vapor retarder.
Kraft faced insulation includes a paper vapor retarder which helps prevent mold and mildew.
While faced insulation is ideally for first time applications such as in walls ceilings and floors unfaced insulation is a preferred choice of material for attics insulation that already had insulation plus it also makes for a great soundproofing agent for interior walls.
If you re putting it in an exterior wall the facing is on the interior side of the home where drywall will be laid.
While faced insulation is stapled to the wall studs unfaced fiberglass insulation is installed slightly differently but offers the same benefits.
That s because the paper contains a layer of asphalt adhesive which prevents water vapor from passing through it.
It helps prevent moisture from moving from one space to another and it usually faces the inside of the room.
This is usually kraft paper but sometimes other types of paper can be used.
Among the many insulation options available for the homeowner there is one that stands above the rest.
The paper facing should always face toward the inside of the home.
Paper faced insulation means that one side of the insulation material comes lined with paper.
To this end you insulate your home.
Faced or the type with paper is typically used in first time applications such as in walls ceilings floors and in crawl spaces.
Unfaced means the insulation lacks a vapor retarder paper or plastic facing.
Regardless of whether fiberglass insulation is installed in a wall attic or crawlspace.
Faced insulation has flanges on the outside of the batt that need to be stapled to the wall studs and joists.
Insulation in rolls called batts comes in two varieties.
1 measure the space the insulation needs to fit.
The barrier on faced insulation is usually made out of kraft paper and it is sometimes called a vapor retarder.
The facing should aim down toward the living space.
Any time you use a faced insulation the paper needs to be facing toward the living space.