Adding Attic Insulation To Old House

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.

Adding attic insulation to old house.

Remove the outlet cover and shine a flashlight into the crack around the outlet box. But if the floor is covered in plywood you can t stuff enough insulation beneath it to do the job sufficiently not even in warm climates. Many old houses had some attic insulation usually cellulose or rock wool but these materials lose their effectiveness over time. We all know that hot air rises as cool air sinks to a low level.

Install siding over the insulation. Caulk window trim and use weatherstripping to reduce air leaks. Fill the gaps your insulated attic isn t necessarily a sealed attic. 3 have a friend add material to the hopper.

How to install attic insulation over existing insulation wear a long sleeve shirt gloves eye protection and a dust mask. If the existing insulation is near or above the top of the joists it is a good idea to place the new batts perpendicular to the old ones because that will help to cover the tops of the joists themselves and reduce thermal bridging through the frame. Why the attic is key 1. Let s apply this knowledge to your.

Inspect the exterior walls by using an electrical outlet. How to insulate walls in an old house. Pull out a small amount of insulation if needed to help. Attach 1 inch foam board insulation.

Plan to pull up the flooring and layer new insulation on top of the old. Apply a house wrap vapor barrier to exterior walls. How to insulate an old house. If there is not any insulation in your attic fit the insulation between the joists.

Because the simplest and cheapest way to insulate an attic is to add material to the floor. Turn off the power to the outlet. Lay the batts perpendicular to the joists so. Replace old windows with energy efficient units.

The easiest way to add attic insulation is with fiberglass batts. Block all vents in the attic floor with baffles making sure to extend the baffles at least four inches above the planned thickness of your insulation. Make sure you use an unfaced batt one without a paper or foil layer so the insulation does not trap moisture in the ceiling.