This Old House Adding Attic Insulation

This old house general contractor tom silva explains the wide world of spray foam insulation how to install insulation learn how to beef up your wall s weather protection in 4 easy steps.

This old house adding attic insulation.

Believe it or not there are situations in a home when you should remove the old attic insulation before adding more over the existing and in this short video. Doubled vapor barriers in attic. Affix rigid foam insulation to the attic side of the hatch or door. How to insulate an old house.

If you live in an older house you ll have to inspect the insulation. Attic hatch or door. Laying a second layer of fiberglass batts in the attic is an easy way to boost r values. These insulation levels will keep heated air from migrating out in winter.

Typically houses in warm weather states should have an r 38 insulation in the attic whereas houses in cold climates should have r 49. We all know that hot air rises as cool air sinks to a low level. This old house general contractor tom silva shows affordable ways to create an energy efficient attic how to know what insulation is behind your walls if you live in an older home understanding what pads your walls is essential to keeping your family safe. Fill the gaps your insulated attic isn t necessarily a sealed attic.

Why the attic is key 1. If it s jammed too tightly into a cavity it can t trap as much air and won t be as effective. Pull down stair or ladder. Thickness must not be used as the sole factor in determining the r value of loose fill insulation particularly for attic insulation.

Fiberglass insulation gets its r value from the amount of air it traps between its fibers. In a cooling climate a good blanket of attic insulation helps keep the house cooler and reduces the load on air conditioning equipment. Add weatherstripping around the perimeter and a sweep to the door of a walk up attic. Before you begin the installation of insulation.