Old House Roof Insulation

You can buy them unfaced or simply remove the paper or foil backing.

Old house roof insulation.

Cold areas require a higher r value like an r 49. Measure the size of the roof rafters. Here are just a few of the highlights. Just because you find insulation in one wall doesn t mean that it s everywhere in the house.

Cutting batts of fiberglass insulation a neat trick for making tidy cuts. Maximize attic insulation this is simple and not particularly unique to older homes but it s also the easiest and least expensive energy upgrade you can do. If you have an unfinished and unconditioned attic like many old houses my first recommendation would be to add batt insulation on the underside of the roof. The format of house insulation you need depends on where you put it and if you need to control moisture.

This old house general contractor tom silva shows how he installs roofing and siding to keep a house buttoned up and dry. Attach 1 inch foam board insulation. Wood can wet without issue but keep it wet and then the problems arise. Fiberglass batts the insulation found in most houses in the u s are inexpensive and quick to install.

One way to insulate walls of an old house is to focus on the home s exterior. Place a new layer of unfaced batts perpendicular to the old layer to cover any gaps in the lower layer. Like other batt type insulation fiberglass has a predictable r value if not compressed but is difficult to fit around obstacles without leaving gaps. Even if you bought the house with insulation already installed into it it s best to double check.

Pull out a small amount of insulation if needed to help determine the type of insulation. Apply a house wrap vapor barrier to exterior walls. Check outlets on all floors as well as old and new parts of your house. Increase your r value by layering insulation.

In most climates it needs a vapor barrier. Strictly speaking there s no practical upper limit for attic insulation depth. Are they 2 6 2 8 or bigger. Adding insulation where it was never designed to go mainly the walls of an old house causes a host of problems all due to the moisture issues it creates.

The bigger they are the thicker the insulation you can fit. Replace old windows with energy efficient units. Your area may have a different standard so be sure to check first. Layer more insulation over the old for more effectiveness.

Old house insulation strategy 1. Install siding over the insulation. Caulk window trim and use weatherstripping to reduce air leaks. You should be able to see if there is insulation in the wall and possibly how thick it is.

For most of the us the doe s standard is r 38. If you live in a warm climate you require a lower r value. The insulation materials used in older houses are not as effective in keeping heat in as the new ones. The attic is often the easiest place to add insulation.