If you need regular access to your attic it makes sense to build a catwalk before you insulate the floor of your attic.
Insulation on floor of attic.
To build a catwalk you would usually elevate a section of the framing perhaps with 2x6s installed at 90 degrees to the joists and you would install osb or plywood on top of the elevated framing.
Insulating the attic floor.
However if you keep the storage weight to a minimum you may be able to build a storage platform above the insulation by attaching supporting beams to the sides of the trusses.
Some regions don t require a vapor barrier.
R value is a measure of insulation s ability to resist heat traveling through it.
Insulation level are specified by r value.
Whether using loose fill or batts put the vapor barrier closest to the warm side of your installation where hot moist air would get in facing the house s interior in cold climates beneath floor insulation and the attic s interior in hot climates on top of floor insulation.
Attic insulation between roof trusses.
The table below shows what levels of insulation are cost effective for different climates and locations in the home.
With a finished attic insulation must help keep the attic areas comfortable.
In unfinished attic spaces insulate between and over the floor joists to seal off living spaces below.
The higher the r value the better the thermal performance of the insulation.
In practical terms you can choose between mineral wool or insulation boards.
If your attic joists won t bear the weight necessary to finish out a living space but the engineer cleared them to support floor decking for light storage you can install inch plywood or.
How to insulate a finished attic.
If the air distribution is in the attic space then consider insulating the rafters to move the distribution into the conditioned space.
If you do not use the attic much it is pointless heating this area.
1a attic access door.
A finished attic should be insulated much like the rest of the house with insulation in the walls and ceiling.
That means insulating the attic floor only not the walls and having vents in the roof.
So insulating the floor of the attic is not only the best solution but it is also the simplest and cheapest.