How To Install Drywall Over Rigid Insulation In Attic Skylights

Stretch the tape from the top to the bottom without gaps.

How to install drywall over rigid insulation in attic skylights.

Mark the insulation where it lines up with the center of the rafter closest to the farthest edge. The unfaced insulation can be secured to the framing with staples. There are several ways to insulate skylight passages. Nail or screw the rigid insulation or drywall in place over the caulked framing as shown in the description tab.

Caulk the drywall and rigid foam to the framing at all edges. Paint the drywall with latex paint to serve as the vapor barrier. 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. One method is to fill the gaps between the studs with faced batts and then wrap the entire passage with unfaced insulation.

Drywall shafts can allow heat to escape. Complete any needed insulation upgrading or installation prior to drywalling. Tape and seal all joints in the rigid insulation or drywall. Cut the insulation with a utility.

The most common way to hang drywall over rigid foam insulation is to glue and screw it into place. 1 tape each seam with housewrap tape. Seal any seams in the rigid foam with caulk tape or foam. Start at one corner of the attic and lay the piece of insulation lengthwise like a piece of drywall.

Once the attic is prepared then start to install the insulation. 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. 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.