Old House Roof Insulation

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.

Old house roof insulation.

Always use unfaced batts both when laying product for the first time and to prevent moisture from becoming trapped between new and old layers of insulation. The format of house insulation you need depends on where you put it and if you need to control moisture. Caulk window trim and use weatherstripping to reduce air leaks. Replace old windows with energy efficient units.

You should be able to see if there is insulation in the wall and possibly how thick it is. The bigger they are the thicker the insulation you can fit. Here are just a few of the highlights. Cutting batts of fiberglass insulation a neat trick for making tidy cuts.

Attach 1 inch foam board insulation. Cold areas require a higher r value like an r 49. 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.

Layer more insulation over the old for more effectiveness. Strictly speaking there s no practical upper limit for attic insulation depth. Just because you find insulation in one wall doesn t mean that it s everywhere in the house. In most climates it needs a vapor barrier.

Are they 2 6 2 8 or bigger. Your area may have a different standard so be sure to check first. The attic is often the easiest place to add insulation. If you live in a warm climate you require a lower r value.

You have many choices for your insulation batting. Even if you bought the house with insulation already installed into it it s best to double check. One way to insulate walls of an old house is to focus on the home s exterior. 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.

Fiberglass batts the insulation found in most houses in the u s are inexpensive and quick to install. Increase your r value by layering insulation. Check outlets on all floors as well as old and new parts of your house. This old house general contractor tom silva shows how he installs roofing and siding to keep a house buttoned up and dry.

Wood can wet without issue but keep it wet and then the problems arise. Apply a house wrap vapor barrier to exterior walls. For most of the us the doe s standard is r 38. Pull out a small amount of insulation if needed to help determine the type of insulation.

You can buy them unfaced or simply remove the paper or foil backing. Old house insulation strategy 1. Measure the size of the roof rafters. 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.