How To Install Drywall Over Rigid Insulation In Attic Skylights

There are several ways to insulate skylight passages.

How to install drywall over rigid insulation in attic skylights. Mark the location of all wall studs on the ceiling and the floor for your vertical nailing pattern reference. Because rigid foam performs so well many builders skip the fiberglass and rely solely on rigid foam to insulate a skylight shaft. If you are placing drywall over an existing wall remove all the baseboards and note the locations of the nail holes in the wall surface. The unfaced insulation can be secured to the framing with staples.

Paint the drywall with latex paint to serve as the vapor barrier. Seal any seams in the rigid foam with caulk tape or foam. As long as the rigid foam layer is thick enough to meet at least minimum code requirements for walls exceeding minimum code values is even better this is an excellent approach. Stretch the tape from the top to the bottom without gaps.

Caulk the drywall and rigid foam to the framing at all edges. If the air barrier to be used is sprayed polyurethane foam spf insulation remove any old insulation and fill the cavities of the skylight framing with the spf. Set first piece of rigid insulation. The most common way to hang drywall over rigid foam insulation is to glue and screw it into place.

Tape and seal all joints in the rigid insulation or drywall. Mark the insulation where it lines up with the center of the rafter closest to the farthest edge. Cut the insulation with a utility. One method is to fill the gaps between the studs with faced batts and then wrap the entire passage with unfaced insulation.

Start at one corner of the attic and lay the piece of insulation lengthwise like a piece of drywall. Drywall shafts can allow heat to escape. Complete any needed insulation upgrading or installation prior to drywalling. Once the attic is prepared then start to install the insulation.