Can you put boards on top of insulation?

Author: Brice Haley DVM  |  Last update: Monday, October 20, 2025

Loft boards can be placed over insulation but not directly upon it. Board placed on insulation will compress it and massively impact on its effectiveness. You have to make sure that any loft boarding is at a height that does flatten your insulation.

Can you board on top of insulation?

Boards for loft flooring can be installed on top of insulation using plywood, wood, or plastics. Installing loft flooring and boarding over insulation helps save space, prevent heat loss, and increase home value.

Can I put plywood over insulation?

Can I put plywood over insulation in the attic? Yes you can install plywood subflooring directly over the floor joists and insulation on your floor. You need to install rigid insulation boards on top of the attic flooring joists and then install plywood over the top.

Can I put foam board over insulation?

Yes, foam board insulation is an excellent complement to batt insulation. Foam board insulation can add insulation and eliminate thermal bridging when used in wall and ceiling assemblies insulated with batts. It can potentially replace the vapor barrier and house wrap as well.

Should you leave a small gap between the insulation and the board?

You don't need a gap between the boards and insulation, just make sure you don't compress the insulation, but you do need a gap in the corner where the roof comes down to allow airflow from the soffits into the loft.

The the wrong and the right way to insulate a loft .

Can I put storage on top of insulation?

If you want to use your loft for storage you'll need to ensure the joists are higher that 270mm in height. This will allow the spaces between the joists to be filled with insulation and then be boarded over the top, whilst achieving the recommended depth of insulation.

Can you board over foil insulation?

If you plan to add an extra layer of insulation, you can install insulated plasterboards over the foil insulation.

What can I put over fiberglass insulation?

PIB (Polyisobutylene) can also be used over fiberglass insulation. PIB is a type of vapor barrier that is designed to prevent moisture from penetrating through walls, ceilings, and floors.

Does insulation need a vapor barrier?

Not every wall does. A vapor retarder is a material used to prevent water vapor from diffusing into the wall, ceiling or floor during the cold winter. Whether or not you need a vapor retarder hinges on three main factors your climate, your home and the location of the wall you're insulating.

Does layering insulation increase R-value?

Installing more insulation in your home increases the R-value and the resistance to heat flow. In general, increased insulation thickness will proportionally increase the R-value.

What to put over insulation?

Installing foil on top of the insulation acts like the windproof shell on a jacket. The SuperPerf foil helps minimize convective looping within the insulation.

Can you put flooring on top of insulation?

It is typically taken to mean a lightweight construction where chipboard, gypsum or cement fibre board floor panels are 'floated' across the top of the rigid insulation layer. Floating floors are used most often in domestic buildings especially when retrofitting or refurbishing an existing building.

Can you put drywall over insulation?

It's possible to put up drywall over spray foam insulation. But for it to work well, you need to follow some critical steps. First, you have to prepare the wall areas correctly. Then, make sure you use the right vapor barriers and meet fire safety rules.

Do you need an air gap for insulation board?

Insulation boards are no exception to this rule, and it's important to leave an air gap between them and the surface they're installed on.

Can you put plastic sheeting over insulation?

Yes, covering your insulation with a vapor barrier plastic before installing drywall is crucial. It prevents moisture buildup that can lead to mold, rot, and even structural damage. A polyethylene vapor barrier also adds a layer of fire protection, making your home safer.

Can you overdo insulation?

It is possible to over-insulate your house so much that it can't breathe. The whole point of home insulation is to tightly seal your home's interior. But if it becomes too tightly sealed with too many layers of insulation, moisture can get trapped inside those layers. That's when mold starts to grow.

When not to use vapor barrier?

Don't: Put Vapor Barriers on the Bottom of the Floor Joist in the Crawl Space. Because vapor barriers are good at retaining moisture, putting plastic sheeting on the joists can cause moisture to build up under the floor.

Is it better to use faced or unfaced insulation?

For example, if you need extra soundproofing or don't want to spend time installing a separate vapor barrier, then face may be the best option for you. However, if cost savings are more important than convenience, then unfaced may be the better choice in this case.

Can mold grow on rockwool insulation?

Mould-resistant - rockwool insulation is inorganic, meaning there's nowhere for mould to grow. Its moisture resistance also helps to prevent the growth of insulation mould.

What is the cheapest way to cover fiberglass insulation?

Fabric panels are a cost-effective way to cover exposed insulation. They're an alternative to traditional wall materials and can help improve the acoustics in a room. Any kind of permeable fabric will work and they're easy to install. Stretch fabric over a wooden frame or directly on the wall surface.

Can you put stuff on top of insulation?

Boarding over your loft insulation can be a great upgrade for your home when done correctly, so your insulation is not compromised. It can provide you with usable storage, or even extra living space, which will only enhance the value of your property.

What can I cover exposed insulation with?

One quick and effective way to cover exposed insulation is by using plastic sheeting. This method is simple and can be done with materials readily available at stores like Home Depot.

Can you board over insulation?

Installing loft boarding over insulation is an easy process and is essential if you want both storage and for your quilt insulation to work at its optimum performance. With the correct products, such as Loft Legs, this is easy and cost effective too.

Should there be an air gap between insulation and roof?

Should you leave a gap between the insulation and the roof? Yes, you should leave an air gap between the insulation and the roof to allow proper ventilation and prevent moisture buildup.

Can you put drywall over foil insulation?

Can drywall be applied on top of the foil? Only if there is an air gap in the assembly; typically the air gap would be between the outer layer and the foil layer.

Previous article
What is the average amount of water in a toilet bowl?
Next article
What squirrel repellent actually works?