PEARLAND Blog

Faced or Unfaced Batts: Learn More About Your Home’s Insulation

Having the right insulation installed throughout your home is crucial to improving the comfort and safety of your environment. The material that can be found in the house helps to reduce the rate of heat transfer, which is the movement of heat in and out of the building. In order for your home to effectively defend against unwanted heat, outdoor pollutants, and irregular temperatures, the insulation and air sealing needs to be regularly evaluated and updated according to the needs of your home.

This is why choosing the right insulation starts with having a better understanding of the material you’re looking to have installed. For example, many homeowners aren’t aware of the difference between faced and unfaced insulation. But knowing the difference between the two can also help you to better understand the importance of having each installed in the best areas.

The Difference Between Faced And Unfaced Insulation

Faced and unfaced insulation are both used in a building for better prevention against heat transfer, reducing heat gain or heat loss. However, each type has its own benefits that may influence where in your home you decide to have them installed. Faced insulation refers to batt material that has a thin outer layer of paper or plastic, which is known as the “face”. This is used to protect the batt material - which is usually made from fiberglass or mineral wool - from humidity, bacteria, and other moisture damages. On the other hand, unfaced insulation is a roll or pallet of batt material that doesn’t have a “face” covering one side.

Where To Install Faced Insulation

For some homeowners, the moisture-resistant properties make faced insulation sound like the obvious choice to have installed throughout the house. However, not only is the facing considered useless in certain applications, but it also isn't always the best choice in comparison to other available materials. When considering new or updated material, it's important to consult an industry professional to discuss the options available for installation. Every area has factors that will affect the needs of a home, with some of the most basic variables being climate zone, building codes, and even your regular household habits.

This is why one of the primary differences between faced and unfaced insulation is their application advantages. Faced insulation is a great moisture barrier, as mentioned earlier since it protects the material from water damage and helps to seal the area from moisture. However, the paper and plastic facings are considered flammable; unfaced insulation, on the other hand, is naturally non-combustible in most cases. This is due to the inherent nature of the material itself: fiberglass and mineral, two of the most common materials used for batt insulation, are fire resistant and can significantly reduce the spread of a fire. It’s important to note this does not mean it stops a fire from burning, especially in severe cases.

• Attics

Taking a trip to your attic will reveal one of the easiest places to find faced insulation. While not every home will have faced insulation batts in between joists and beams, the ceiling and walls in your attic are the most common areas that will have faced insulation. If you see the paper or plastic looking up at you from the floor, this may be a DIY error - it’s more likely that an insulation professional has installed blown-in material along your attic floor. The faced material will be pressed in between cavities in the ceiling and walls in order to ensure a snug fit, which helps to reduce air leaks. The paper or plastic covering should be facing outward toward the installer.

• Crawl Spaces

Having sufficient underfloor insulation is crucial in order to reduce heat loss and air leaks throughout the house. As such, when you enter the crawl space in your home, you may find faced insulation in between the floor joists. This has a similar function as the material installed along the ceiling throughout the attic. There is one key difference in the installation, however: the facing should be directed upward, toward the house, rather than down toward the installer under the crawl space. This is because the facing should be directed toward the inside of the building wherever it may be installed. If the material needs support to stay in place, a staple gun may be used to secure the material.

• Exterior Walls

If you have any construction near your home, take a quick look at the walls from the inside perspective of the building. You may notice paper in between the joists, which will typically have an insulation production company's logo. This is faced insulation, which is being used here to prevent water and moisture from entering the home! It's important to note that because of the flammable paper, unfaced insulation may also be used in this area. This is once again thanks to the inherent nature of fiberglass and mineral wool to be non-combustible. For this insulation, the kraft paper will be installed on the interior side.

Understanding Your Home’s Material with Local Experts

Many homeowners don’t understand the various benefits that come with different materials, types, and installations. When it comes to improving your environment along with the household’s savings and energy efficiency, knowing more than the basics of insulation material can carry you a long way. One factor that’s a simple yet effective place to get started is insulation facing. You’ve most likely seen it before without even knowing what you’re looking at!

At Koala Insulation of Pearland, we offer free evaluations so you and your household can understand more about your home’s insulation. We provide a detailed breakdown that expands on the current condition of your home’s material in order to help you make informed decisions. If you’re interested in learning more about how insulation and air sealing can impact your environment, contact our team of insulation professionals at Koala Insulation of Pearland today to schedule your free evaluation.