Nachum writes from Elmer, New Jersey: "Paper faced Insulation in the attic was installed about 1940. IT is falling down and I want to put new insulation over the old. Your information advises to use unfaced insulation and run it perpendicular to the existing. The attic has low head clearance and our head will rub against the new material. I prefer not to remove the old stuff. Is there a recommended facing to place over the new so it doesn't get in my hair?"

Answer: Hmmm. If your attic is unfinished and not conditioned (heated and/or cooled), the insulation should be on the floor and not overhead. In such an attic there should also be ventilation to help remove any moist air that enters the attic and keep the roof deck dry. When we recommend adding new insulation in a perpendicular direction, we are expecting it will go on the floor. If the attic space is conditioned, the insulation can go overhead if there is ventilation between the insulation and the roof deck. In this case the insulation should have a vapor retarder and it should be on the warm-in-winter side, which in your case would be the inside of the attic. And if that’s the case, the Kraft paper facing needs to be covered with a 15-minute thermal barrier such as drywall. If you want to discuss your situation to fully understand our recommendations, call the helpful Owens Corning customer service folks at 1-800-GET-PINK (438 7465).