It's like a damm barn in the attic. After investigating a lot of areas I determined that I should be legally allowed to locate the previous owners and beat them senselessly. I am sealing off an old staircase that was made into a bathroom closet. The "wall" is just drywall with support beams and no insulation separating it from the attic. Explains why that bathroom was always so cold. And here I've been trying to figure out where the leak was in the bathroom window. Bringing section 1 and 2 of the attic up to R49. Section 1, which is used for storage will have an r-value of 30 with the use of tongue and groove insulation board. I will also create an insulated stair case covering for the entrance to eliminate the draft. Looking forward to seeing the difference.
Yeah, the door to the second staircase is still in the attic of section three. I'm using it to seal off the staircase and will insulate over it. Otherwise, the only way to get it out of section three would be to cut it into pieces since there is only a small attic window entrance to that section.
Sounds like you have found some glaring issues. That sucks in one way but it bodes well that you might see a solid reduction in the heating requirements. This should be interesting.
I have some pretty high hopes that I should see some big differences. It will be frustrating otherwise.
I've often contemplated why insulation in some homes were lacking in such a glaring manner. I don't think it was always laziness, rather perhaps fuel was much less expensive at the time. However, more insulation usually makes a home much more comfy in all seasons, and it's cheap and easy to put in when being built. I dunno. When I redid the back porch addition here a few years ago, I pulled all the old stuff out of the walls. R-11 that had shrunk down to about 1/2 it's original depth, so somewhere between 1.5-2" I need more attic insulation back there, but the room is now sealed and now has r-15 in the walls. It's better. Looking forward to see your progress and result BBar. I hope its successful.
http://www.greenbuildingadvisor.com...lating-paint-salesman-tripped-his-own-product I doubt this is a major reason why insulation is lacking, but for this guy, ignorance and arrogance got in the way.
I wonder what would be more painful.. The heating costs for a house with no insulation or the 27k in property taxes each year.. http://www.zillow.com/homedetails/49-Memery-Ln-Longmeadow-MA-01106/56184955_zpid/
I would like a little more than the 1240 sq. ft. we have, but not another 8,000. My sometimers would get me lost in there. "Honey, where's the front door?..........Honey?"
If you can afford it, I'd prefer the 27k in property tax over fighting the cold and heat on a daily basis.
Did ya' get stuck up there? Guess you couldn't answer if you did. I went and got myself a small shop vacuum so I can get up and get all the loose stuff out. Got tired of that craptastic stuff pouring on my head when I pulled the old batts. This should help.
It went better and worse than expected. The blown-in is done. Went through 33 bags. I think I will add more in the spring just to make sure I didn't miss any spots. Haven't finished the first section of the attic, yet. The 4x4x2 insulation boards do not fit up the staircase and will need to be cut down in order to fit. Also, I had to carry the blower up two flights of stairs and into the attic as the hose would not reach from the ground level to the back of the attic. That was super fun. I also had to take the wheels off since the blower would not fit through the doorways upstairs. Nothing like lugging 200 lbs of machinery up into the attic and back down again. Wife and I have gotten pretty good at moving heavy chit. In the end, due to having to go with different insulation board, it cost me about $250 more than I budgeted. This Spring we'll add some more, but the blower can stay outside this time.
you'll have to let us know BBAR. I'm considering this in the interim until I get a stove put in. My crawlspace puts a crazy chill in your feet and my attic insulation is awful. I'm curious to see the benefits you see of the blown in. I'll be doing spray foam under the floor but blown in for the attic space.
