I am hoping to claims some attic space for an office by removing the cellulose from the floor and insulating the space between the rafters. In Vermont, condensation and water damage are common in old houses when people fill this space with insulation and don’t vent it. Is there a simple solution?
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Greg,
Spray foam insulation. Stops moisture from ever getting to a condensable surface, no venting, no vapor barrier needed. Some do the vapor barrier anyway, but I see no need for it in this application. Pricey though.
Second approach: foil-faced rigid foam on the underside of the rafters, tape the seams, fill in the bays with dense-packed cellulose. some say a vent channel is needed in such an application, others say no. I say no. Most codes people say yes.
No real need to remove the cellulose from the floor. It'll make nice sound insulation for the folks below.
What part of Vermont? If you want to hire it out, the intrepid Freddy Lugano works in your neck of the woods...
Steve
Edited 7/5/2002 2:30:16 PM ET by STEVENZERBY
Edited 7/5/2002 2:30:43 PM ET by STEVENZERBY
Edited 7/5/2002 2:31:05 PM ET by STEVENZERBY
Did just that in an old garage with a loft, in the easterntownships of Quebec, Canada. As the rafters were 2x4's, we used foam vent channels to vent the decking of the roof with wool between the studs and added 1" closed cell foam over the studs. Tape all the joints and it becomes your vapour barrier. The venting is a must here to prevent ice damming in the winter.
If it gets stuck? force it. if it breaks? It needed replacing anyways...
Edited 7/5/2002 4:06:11 PM ET by weekendwarrior