Old House Roof Insulation

Install siding over the insulation.

Old house roof insulation.

Cutting batts of fiberglass insulation a neat trick for making tidy cuts. The insulation must meet doe standards. Even if you bought the house with insulation already installed into it it s best to double check. Increase your r value by layering insulation.

The format of house insulation you need depends on where you put it and if you need to control moisture. Replace old windows with energy efficient units. Check outlets on all floors as well as old and new parts of your house. Here are just a few of the highlights.

Place a new layer of unfaced batts perpendicular to the old layer to cover any gaps in the lower layer. Wood can wet without issue but keep it wet and then the problems arise. You should be able to see if there is insulation in the wall and possibly how thick it is. Like other batt type insulation fiberglass has a predictable r value if not compressed but is difficult to fit around obstacles without leaving gaps.

You can buy them unfaced or simply remove the paper or foil backing. The bigger they are the thicker the insulation you can fit. 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 attic is often the easiest place to add insulation.

In most climates it needs a vapor barrier. 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. Old house insulation strategy 1. Pull out a small amount of insulation if needed to help determine the type of insulation.

The insulation materials used in older houses are not as effective in keeping heat in as the new ones. Measure the size of the roof rafters. 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.

Attach 1 inch foam board 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. Your area may have a different standard so be sure to check first. Are they 2 6 2 8 or bigger.

Fiberglass batts the insulation found in most houses in the u s are inexpensive and quick to install. Layer more insulation over the old for more effectiveness. If you live in a warm climate you require a lower r value. For most of the us the doe s standard is r 38.

One way to insulate walls of an old house is to focus on the home s exterior. Cold areas require a higher r value like an r 49. Apply a house wrap vapor barrier to exterior walls. Caulk window trim and use weatherstripping to reduce air leaks.