Faced vs. Unfaced Insulation: Which Is Better? (2024)

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 might be 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 home. Here’s what you need to know about faced and unfaced fiberglass insulation.

What Are the Difference Between Faced and Unfaced Insulation?

Faced and unfaced insulation have several key differences that can impact which material you choose to insulate your home. Refer to this chart to help you compare your options.

What Is Faced Insulation?

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Though faced insulation sounds like it might have a face on it, you’ll be relieved to know that faced insulation does not, in fact, look like someone is peering out at you every time you go up to inspect the attic. Faced insulation earned its name for the thin vapor barrier that’s attached to one side of the insulation material.

Where to Install Faced Insulation

You should install faced insulation wherever humidity and moisture are potential risk factors for your home. Install faced insulation in the following locations:

• Attics

• Basem*nts

• Exterior walls

Faced Insulation Materials

Not all materials are equal when it comes to choosing unfaced insulation. 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.

Cost to Install Faced Insulation

Faced insulation costs anywhere from $0.50 to $2.00 per square foot, including installation. How much you’ll pay depends on your climate zone and the R-value you need to have effective insulation.

Pros

• Protects the insulation from moisture damage

• Aluminum foil reflects heat away from home

• Easy to install

• Prevents mold from growing

• Some facing materials serve multiple purposes by acting as air, radiant, or vapor barriers.

Cons

• Costs more than unfaced insulation

• Single-layer installation only

• Can pose a fire hazard

What Is Unfaced Insulation?

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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.

Where to Install Unfaced Insulation

Unfaced insulation should be installed in dry, interior locations to provide insulation against outdoor temperatures. Install unfaced insulation in the following areas:

• Interior walls

• Under floors

• Ceilings

• Attic floors

• Crawl spaces

Unfaced Insulation Materials

Unfaced insulation comes in a variety of materials, including:

• Fiberglass

• Mineral wool

• Plastic

• Polystyrene

• Polyurethane

• Foam boards

• Cellulose, and more

Cost to Install Unfaced Insulation

Unfaced insulation costs anywhere from $0.50 to $1.75 per square foot, with prices on the higher side for colder regions that require more heat-resistant materials.

Pros

• Keeps your home warmer

• Cancels out sounds

• Fire-resistant

• Can be layered

• Variety of material options

• Cost-friendly

Cons

• Harder to install

• No moisture resistance

Faced vs. Unfaced Insulation

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So now that we know the specifics of faced versus unfaced insulation, how do the two stack up against each other?

Appearance

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.

Best appearance: Tie

Functionality

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.

Best for keeping you warm: Unfaced insulation

Durability

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.

Most durable: Faced insulation

Price

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.

Most affordable: Unfaced insulation

Combustibility

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.

Safest: Unfaced insulation

Water-Resistance

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.

Most water-resistant: Faced insulation

Ease of Installation

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.

Easiest to install: Faced insulation

Ease of Repair

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.

Easiest to repair: Both require a professional

Maintenance

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.

Easiest to maintain: Faced insulation

Length of Life

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.

Longest lifespan: Tie