Adding Attic Insulation To Old House

Many old houses had some attic insulation usually cellulose or rock wool but these materials lose their effectiveness over time.

Adding attic insulation to old house.

Let s apply this knowledge to your. How to insulate an old house. Install siding over the insulation. Pull out a small amount of insulation if needed to help.

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. Because the simplest and cheapest way to insulate an attic is to add material to the floor. Why the attic is key 1. The easiest way to add attic insulation is with fiberglass batts.

Inspect the exterior walls by using an electrical outlet. If there is not any insulation in your attic fit the insulation between the joists. How to install attic insulation over existing insulation wear a long sleeve shirt gloves eye protection and a dust mask. Caulk window trim and use weatherstripping to reduce air leaks.

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. 3 have a friend add material to the hopper. Before you begin the installation of insulation. 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.

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. Fill the gaps your insulated attic isn t necessarily a sealed attic. Replace old windows with energy efficient units. Apply a house wrap vapor barrier to exterior walls.

Attach 1 inch foam board insulation. You should be able to see if there is insulation in the wall. Lay the batts perpendicular to the joists so. Make sure you use an unfaced batt one without a paper or foil layer so the insulation does not trap moisture in the ceiling.

Turn off the power to the outlet. Remove the outlet cover and shine a flashlight into the crack around the outlet box. Plan to pull up the flooring and layer new insulation on top of the old.