The Way to Install Insulation in an Old House

Houses, like the ones built before World War II, had little or no rust, particularly. With modifications to building codes to conserve energy, builders and homeowners began adding insulation. Insulation, under roofs and particularly in attics, may have a considerable impact regardless of the sort of heating or cooling. Check building codes prior to including insulation, as some historical areas may have limitations on opening walls to install insulation.

Fiberglass or Cellulose

A loft or under a roof is the simplest place to add insulation in an old property. These materials lose their efficacy over time, although old houses had some attic insulation, usually cellulose or stone wool. The simplest way to add attic insulation is ceiling joists between or across with fiberglass batts laid over the current insulation. Cellulose or other loose fill insulation is another choice.

Rigid Foam

Foam is another widely used method of incorporating under-roof insulation. Rigid foam panels fastened between roof rafters, or can be laid over existing insulation, such as batts. The most common are extruded polystyrene and polyisocyanurate, although several types of foam panel can be found.

Spray Foam

A fantastic alternative for walls would be spray foam. This is a substance is coated inside the walls as a liquid. It expands to fill spaces inside a cavity. Spray foam’s drawback is that eliminating plaster or drywall on the inside or from drilling holes through exterior siding must opens, either walls. Some areas that are historical restrict this.

Interior Spray Foam

Spray foam also can be utilized in attics and between roof joists but this normally requires professional installation. The foam is sprayed to a bay, such as and permitted to expand, then the excess is trimmed off using a utility knife or saw.

Exterior Insulation

Exterior insulation can be inserted on either a roof or on walls in conjunction such as a new roof or siding. Foam panels are the insulating material of choice to incorporating or re-roofing siding. Panels are secured onto the wall or roof sheathing and other roofing or shingles or any kind of siding can be inserted.

Information Sources

Check for insulation Choices in industry or government information sources, like the Department of Energy, the North American Insulation Manufacturers Association or the California Energy Commission. California is in the middle of the insulation scales, roughly currently in Zone 3. Insulation R values measure immunity to heat but also affect so air does not escape by blocking the flow of heat, cooling and hot air does not infiltrate.

See related