Sharon writes from Canton, Ohio: "Our attic floor is only partially finished. We want to use faced insulation on the unfinished sides but there is wiring for the bedroom lights there. Can we install insulation there without causing a fire hazard? We have an older home 1950's or so. We were afraid that a short could potentially cause the fiberglass insulation to catch on fire."

Answer: If the wiring is insulated it should be fine. If it is old knob and tube wiring, keep the insulation three inches away from it. You can recognize knob and tube wiring by the ceramic knobs or tubes in which the wire gets attached to, or passes through, at the joists or studs.

PINK FIBERGLAS™ insulation is non-combustible. However, there are Kraft paper vapor retarders on some of the company's insulation products. If you are adding insulation on top of existing insulation, you should use an unfaced product.