Attic Insulation In Old Houses

One of the most common materials containing asbestos fibers is attic and wall insulation.

Attic insulation in old houses.

Sometimes wood products such as sawdust or balsa wood were used at insulation in old homes but these are very ineffective. The answer to making an old house inhabitable is insulation. In most climates it needs a vapor barrier. The bigger they are the thicker the insulation you can fit.

Contractor or insulation installer s fee. Some homeowners also take the time to build walkways and or storage platforms in the attic prior to installing insulation. According to home advisor insulating your attic can cost between 1700 to 2100. To keep the ventilation space clear above soffit vents special baffles need to be installed before the insulation goes in.

I ll say that one more time. The insulation materials used in older houses are not as effective in keeping heat in as the new ones. Even if you bought the house with insulation already installed into it it s best to double check. If you live in an older house you ll have to inspect the insulation.

The insulation must meet doe standards. But just because your insulation is old doesn t mean it is dangerous. 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. Fiberglass insulation fiberglass batts the insulation found in most houses in the u s are inexpensive and quick to install.

Are they 2 6 2 8 or bigger. Shredded newspaper or loose fill cellulose was another common insulation in the past. Measure the size of the roof rafters. Start in the attic the attic should always be the first place you add insulation whether you live in florida or fargo.

Thickness must not be used as the sole factor in determining the r value of loose fill insulation particularly for attic insulation. Type and material of your insulation. In older homes specifically asbestos may be found in many different materials from pipe insulation to flooring adhesive to roof shingles. Inspecting and evaluating your insulation check the attic walls and floors adjacent to an unheated space like a garage or basement.

The main factors that impact the cost are. Like other batt type insulation fiberglass has a predictable r value if not compressed but is difficult to fit around obstacles without leaving gaps. Square footage of your attic. Vermiculite and perlite are older granulated insulations with relatively low r values which describes the product s thermal resistance.