Need Some Expert Advice For Attic Insulation

bean

Moved into an older home a few months ago. It is a split level with 3 levels and a very steep gable roof on one end and turns into a mansard style on the other.

Over the 3rd level on the gable side, (approx 20'x35') I only have about 2-3 feet of highest head clearance along the entire attic length. So, I thought I'd blow-in insulation to augment what is already their. Seems it will be easier to manouver the hose by pushing it around rather than rolling out bats in that tight space and get better insulation value, too.

Here is my dilema and what I need some expert help with.

1. It has some loose fill between the joists. It is really sparse. Looks like it was just hit and miss thrown in during initial construction back in the sixties.

On top of this, the former owners put in foil faced bats (about R-13 or less) rolled out with the foil facing up into the unheated space. I want to put blown-in on top of this foiled faced batts; however, I though that the foil or whatever facing had to go next to the heated area to act as vapor barrier to prevent condensation or whatever.

To put any insulation on top the foil may be asking for trouble; but, I'm not the expert.

Should I go ahead and blow-in the insulation on top of the foil face or should I first try and flip all the bats so the foil is facing toward the heated space?

2. And, to keep the blown-in away from the foof at the eaves; can I just fasten an 8' sheet of luan or particle board cut to 2' width along the rafters to keep the blown-in from falling in between those batts and the roof (wood shingles, no sheathing). Putting in baffles will be a nightmare considering the tight space. There are no soffit vents on this section of roof. There is plenty of ventilation on gables and soffits in other ares of the attic.

What is the best way to go about insulating this attic section and avoid future problems?

Thanks

joasis

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