Attic Insulation In Old Houses

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.

Attic insulation in old houses.

In most climates it needs a vapor barrier. If you live in an older house you ll have to inspect the insulation. The bigger they are the thicker the insulation you can fit. In older homes specifically asbestos may be found in many different materials from pipe insulation to flooring adhesive to roof shingles.

Type and material of your insulation. Vermiculite and perlite are older granulated insulations with relatively low r values which describes the product s thermal resistance. Start in the attic the attic should always be the first place you add insulation whether you live in florida or fargo. Inspecting and evaluating your insulation check the attic walls and floors adjacent to an unheated space like a garage or basement.

Measure the size of the roof rafters. According to home advisor insulating your attic can cost between 1700 to 2100. Thickness must not be used as the sole factor in determining the r value of loose fill insulation particularly for attic insulation. Shredded newspaper or loose fill cellulose was another common insulation in the past.

But just because your insulation is old doesn t mean it is dangerous. Square footage of your attic. It doesn t matter the climate just start with the safest place that provides the biggest bang for your buck and that is alwaysthe attic. One of the most common materials containing asbestos fibers is attic and wall insulation.

The insulation materials used in older houses are not as effective in keeping heat in as the new ones. Some homeowners also take the time to build walkways and or storage platforms in the attic prior to installing insulation. Are they 2 6 2 8 or bigger. The main factors that impact the cost are.

In most cases the best type of attic insulation will be blown fiberglass or blown cellulose insulation. The answer to making an old house inhabitable is insulation. Like other batt type insulation fiberglass has a predictable r value if not compressed but is difficult to fit around obstacles without leaving gaps. The insulation must meet doe standards.

I ll say that one more time. To keep the ventilation space clear above soffit vents special baffles need to be installed before the insulation goes in. Contractor or insulation installer s fee. Fiberglass insulation fiberglass batts the insulation found in most houses in the u s are inexpensive and quick to install.