Get ready for the ultimate face-off
Faced insulation is best for locations prone to moisture.
Unfaced insulation is idea for dry interior locations.
Faced insulation costs $0.50 to $2 per square foot.
Unfaced insulation costs $0.50 to $1.75 per square foot.
If your home stays warm in the summer and frigid in the winter, and you know your HVAC system is in tip-top shape, it’s time to check your insulation. Cold walls, high energy bills, and drafty rooms are just a few signs that your home needs insulation—but you may be wondering which insulation is best for your house. Here’s what you need to know about faced versus unfaced insulation.
The main difference between faced and unfaced insulation is that faced insulation has an additional moisture barrier, called a face, while unfaced does not. This additional barrier makes a large difference in moisture retention with a minimal increase in cost.
Faced insulation earned its name for the thin vapor barrier that’s attached to one side of the insulation material. In some ways, it may look like someone hasn’t removed the packaging but it’s meant to be that way.
Homeowners should install faced insulation wherever humidity and moisture are potential risk factors for your home. Install faced insulation in the following locations:
Attics
Basements
Exterior walls
Common materials for faced insulation include:
Vinyl
Kraft paper
Aluminum foil
Vinyl is ideal for homes in moist climates or climate zones at risk of wildfires, whereas kraft paper is flammable and may pose a greater fire risk. Aluminum insulation, also called reflective insulation, is fire resistant, reflects solar heat, and protects from water vapor. But alone, it’s not enough to insulate homes in colder climates.
Faced insulation costs anywhere from $0.50 to $2 per square foot, including installation. How much you’ll pay depends on your climate zone and the R-value, which is the amount of heat transfer, your home requires.
| Faced Insulation Pros | Faced Insulation Cons |
|---|---|
| Excellent moisture barrier | Some types are flammable |
| Good soundproofing | Can trap excess moisture |
| More durable than unfaced | Slightly more expensive |
| Prevents mold growth | Can’t be layered |
Best for: Homes in high-to-medium moisture areas that require good insulation properties and moisture containment.
Faced insulation offers several benefits, including protection from moisture damage, which helps keep the house protected from mold and other moisture-related growths. The aluminum foil used in some faced insulation types reflects heat away from the home which can improve energy efficiency. Additionally, faced insulation is relatively easy to install, making it a solid choice for a weekend DIY project.
Faced insulation isn’t without some drawbacks, but they’re relatively minor and outweighed by the benefits. This type of insulation costs more than unfaced and has a tendency to trap moisture in small cracks and crevices—doubly so if installed incorrectly.
You can’t layer faced insulation. Also, the face of faced insulation adds another combustible element, making it just slightly more susceptible to fire risk than unfaced.
Unfaced insulation simply lacks the facing material that faced insulation has—but this doesn’t mean unfaced insulation is less effective. You’ll find that different areas of your home require different types of insulation. For example, unfaced insulation should be installed in dry, interior locations to provide insulation against outdoor temperatures. Unfaced insulation is commonly installed in the following areas:
Interior walls
Under floors
Ceilings
Attic floors
Crawl spaces
Unfaced insulation comes in a variety of materials, including:
Fiberglass
Plastic
Polystyrene
Polyurethane
Foam boards
Cellulose, and more
Unfaced insulation costs $0.50 to $1.75 per square foot, with prices on the higher side for colder regions that require more heat-resistant materials.
| Unfaced Insulation Pros | Unfaced Insulation Cons |
|---|---|
| Costs less | Less energy efficient |
| Can be layered | Harder to install |
| Fire- and sound-resistant | No moisture resistance |
Best for: Interior spaces that don’t require any form of moisture resistance.
Unfaced insulation offers several benefits for homeowners. It helps keep your home warm by providing a barrier that reduces heat loss, and cancels out a wide frequency of sounds. This makes it a good choice for soundproofing which can make a big difference in loud areas.
Additionally, unfaced insulation is fire-resistant. It can be layered for greater insulation effectiveness and comes in a variety of materials. Unfaced insulation is less expensive than faced, and not much more difficult to install.
Unfaced insulation installation is more difficult than faced, which can be rolled into place quite easily. Unfaced is especially difficult in confined areas, where working cleanly becomes more difficult. This type of insulation offers almost no moisture resistance, which can be a real concern in humid climates or for those wanting a good moisture seal in their homes.
So now that we know the specifics of faced versus unfaced insulation, how do the two stack up against each other?
| Factor | Faced Insulation | Unfaced Insulation |
|---|---|---|
| Appearance | Layer of faced material | No faced material |
| Efficiency | Better moisture barrier | Better insulation properties |
| Durability | More durable | Less durable |
| Cost | $0.50–$2/sq.ft. | $0.50–$1.75/sq.ft. |
| Fire resistance | Less fire resistant | More fire resistant |
| Water resistance | More moisture-resistant | Susceptible to moisture |
| Ease of installation | Easiest to install | Fairly easy to install |
| Ease of repair | Minimal difference | Minimal difference |
| Maintenance | Less maintenance | More maintenance |
| Life span | Material-dependent | Material-dependent |
Faced insulation comes in rolls or batts and has a thin layer of faced material on one side of the insulation. Unfaced insulation can also come in rolls or batts, but it does not have a faced material on one side. Unfaced insulation comes in other forms, too, like blown-in insulation or loose-fill insulation.
Faced insulation is better at preventing moisture damage; however, it can’t be layered like unfaced insulation. For this reason, unfaced insulation is better for keeping your house warm in the winter. It also offers better sound protection. However, when it comes to insulation R-values, both faced and unfaced insulation have similar R-values, but unfaced insulation’s R-value can become less effective if water damage occurs.
Faced insulation is more durable than unfaced insulation thanks to its protective layer, but the insulation’s durability depends mostly on the material you choose. Fiberglass insulation can last for up to 80 to 100 years, but you should still check your insulation after the 10-year mark to make sure you don’t need to replace your insulation.
Faced insulation costs more than unfaced insulation due to the extra material added to it. Expect to pay anywhere from $0.50 to $2 per square foot for faced fiberglass insulation and $0.50 to $1.75 per square foot for unfaced fiberglass batts.
Some faced insulation, such as kraft-faced insulation, poses a safety hazard, whereas aluminum-faced fiberglass insulation is fire-resistant. Unfaced insulation, like fiberglass and mineral wool insulation, is fire-resistant. Depending on where you live, you may wish to factor this into your purchases.
Unfaced insulation has no protection against water, which can affect its effectiveness and lead to mold issues. Faced insulation is designed to prevent water from seeping into the insulation.
Both faced and unfaced insulation are easy to install, but faced insulation is even easier because the faced material adds stability to the batts while you unroll and install them. Unfaced insulation tears more easily and is harder to secure since it lacks this extra material.
Unfaced spray foam insulation is best installed by an insulation company near you, as it requires skill in knowing how thick to apply the material and which safety equipment to wear.
Though some minor repairs can be DIYed if you know what you’re doing, repairing torn or damaged insulation—regardless of whether it’s faced or unfaced—is best handled by a pro who knows the ins and outs of repairing insulation.
Since unfaced insulation lacks the extra cohesive layer that faced insulation has, you’ll need to check unfaced materials more regularly to make sure the insulation is still doing its job and hasn’t fallen down. The Department of Energy recommends inspecting the insulation annually to check for gaps, cracks, and insulation levels.
Fiberglass insulation that’s faced or unfaced can last up to 100 years, but if you choose a different material for your unfaced insulation, such as cellulose, it might only last a few decades.
