Old House Roof Insulation

Wood can wet without issue but keep it wet and then the problems arise.

Old house roof insulation.

One way to insulate walls of an old house is to focus on the home s exterior. Attach 1 inch foam board insulation. Check outlets on all floors as well as old and new parts of your house. 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.

Measure the size of the roof rafters. Are they 2 6 2 8 or bigger. You can buy them unfaced or simply remove the paper or foil backing. The insulation materials used in older houses are not as effective in keeping heat in as the new ones.

Like other batt type insulation fiberglass has a predictable r value if not compressed but is difficult to fit around obstacles without leaving gaps. Install siding over the insulation. Cold areas require a higher r value like an r 49. Cutting batts of fiberglass insulation a neat trick for making tidy cuts.

In most climates it needs a vapor barrier. Place a new layer of unfaced batts perpendicular to the old layer to cover any gaps in the lower layer. This old house general contractor tom silva shows how he installs roofing and siding to keep a house buttoned up and dry. For most of the us the doe s standard is r 38.

Just because you find insulation in one wall doesn t mean that it s everywhere in the house. Old house insulation strategy 1. You have many choices for your insulation batting. Increase your r value by layering insulation.

The insulation must meet doe standards. You should be able to see if there is insulation in the wall and possibly how thick it is. Apply a house wrap vapor barrier to exterior walls. Even if you bought the house with insulation already installed into it it s best to double check.

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. 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 bigger they are the thicker the insulation you can fit. Replace old windows with energy efficient units.

Fiberglass batts the insulation found in most houses in the u s are inexpensive and quick to install. Pull out a small amount of insulation if needed to help determine the type of insulation. Here are just a few of the highlights. Layer more insulation over the old for more effectiveness.

Caulk window trim and use weatherstripping to reduce air leaks. If you live in a warm climate you require a lower r value. Your area may have a different standard so be sure to check first. Strictly speaking there s no practical upper limit for attic insulation depth.