Uninsulated space in a finished attic is an oven in summer and a refrigerator in winter. So, in all likelihood, your attic living space already has some insulation. If not—or if what's there is insufficient—you can add more.

Insulating this space before the drywall is fastened to the ceiling and knee walls—short walls near the eaves—is no more difficult than insulating exposed studs, joists, or rafters elsewhere in the house.

However, once wall and ceiling coverings are in place, the task becomes much more complicated and can require tearing down the ceiling and walls. Unless you are an adventurous, accomplished carpenter, call in a professional.

Two Approaches
In a finished attic, insulation is installed above the ceiling in all cases. Below the ceiling, the insulation can follow the knee walls to the attic floor and then across toward the eaves.

Or, if your house has storage space behind the knee walls, the insulation follows the rafters to the eaves. In both arrangements, the insulation is installed with the vapor barrier toward the interior of the house.

Maintaining Ventilation
If your roof is equipped with soffit and ridge vents, have your insulation contractor check for ventilation between the insulation and the roof.

To assure adequate ventilation, install rafter vents between rafters. Stapled to the roof decking, the vents allow a continuous airflow from the soffit to the ridge even after insulation batts have been placed over them.

The vents also keep moisture from the roof from soaking the insulation. With the rafter vents in place, the spaces between rafters can be filled. For maximum R-value, cover the batts with rigid foam insulation, and then finish with drywall.

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