Installing Baffles For Insulation

Although the attic baffle market has a lot of competition right now, there are not all insulation baffles created equal. We will be focusing our review on DCI Product's SmartBaffle solution, as it is one of the most cost-effective and affordable on the market.

Continue up the rafter to the roof peak, covering each baffle's edges. Seal the baffles that extend to the soffit vents. Spray foam can be used to seal the baffles. Foam blocking is also possible. This can be stapled on to fill larger spaces. The seams that run between the baffles should be caulked. Insulation can also be installed on top of your baffles.

Next, measure how far apart the rafters are. This distance should not exceed four inches. The ceiling joist should meet the roof rafters at the bottom of each baffle. After measuring the distance, it's time to install the baffles. Make sure you align and secure your baffles correctly. Spray foam should be used to seal the connections to prevent air leakage.

Continue to work your way up the rafterbay until the roof peak. If they reach the vents of the soffit, the baffles can be sealed. Spray foam is used for this purpose. Foam blocking can also be used to fill larger spaces. To caulk the baffles that reach the roof deck, you can also staple it on. You should also seal the seams between your overlapping baffles. Insulation can be applied to the top of your baffles.

The number of attic baffles you need depends on your roof's size and shape and how many soffits you have. For every attic vent, the space between your rafters that covers each vent should be covered. See how many baffles need to cover each of those spaces and multiply that by how many total spaces there are. More baffles create more airflow, but you can always start with less and add more later.

Exhaust vents are installed at the top of the roof. Their primary job is to provide an unobstructed exit for the heat, hot air, odors and moisture trapped in your attic. Baffles and rafter vents are the same things. Baffles (often called rafter vents) are installed in the attic, wherever there is an intake vent (soffit vent). Baffles prevent vents from getting clogged by insulation and ensure a clear channel for outside air to move into the attic through soffit vents.

After the insulation has dried, you can now place the batts, blankets, or blow insulation right to the edge. Note: In order to prevent insulation being blown into the attic floor, blow insulation may require additional blocks. This is done very well by placing a piece if rigid foam board on the outer edges of the top plates.

Baffles have the ability to block insulation from reaching areas that it shouldn't like, such exterior walls or floors. This can lead to expensive repairs. It is important that insulation does not enter areas it shouldn't.

Michigan residential construction code requires a baffle be installed in every cavity; however, at Ecotelligent Homes we don’t treat the code as the gold standard, we treat it as the bare minimum allowed. Our basic attic insulation package goes beyond the minimum code requirements and includes installing baffles in every cavity with a blocker and air sealing of the exterior top plate, see sketch below (artwork courtesy of our crafty engineer, Owner Amanda Godward).

A Soffit vent, on the roof's bottom, is a ventilation opening. The soffit directs airflow from the roof to the outside, through the ground and over any barrier, such as turf or slab. Some soffits are equipped with insulation or screens to reduce wind-driven rainwater intrusion. Others have insulation for convenience, as insulation can also be installed in an attic.

Tech Tips and Critical details is a visual guide to proper installation of ventilation baffles. It's a great resource. It outlines seven steps to properly fit and install attic insulation baffles. Another great resource on installing attic insulation baffles is this excellent video from HouseImprovements.com. Clear guidance in how to deal with small details can help manage an extremely important function in the attic.