Compacted Insulation
#1
11-21-04, 05:14 PM
Compacted Insulation
The blown insulation in about half of my attic is pretty compacted down. What was probably about 8-10 inches of light and fluffy blown insulation is now even with the joists...maybe 4 inches now. That side of the house, the bedrooms, seems much cooler now that the temperatures are dropping outside.
Does compacted insulation have less R-value?
Can I add more insulation on top of the old to help, if so, what types of insulation can I use?
Is there a way to know if the compacted insulation in the attic is the reason for a cool room in the house? I have caulked around windows and gaps in the exterior of the house already. What's next, ripping the walls apart to see what's inside those exterior walls?
Thanks for any help here.
Then I just have to figure out how to keep the darn squirrels out, and doing this all over again.
Does compacted insulation have less R-value?
Can I add more insulation on top of the old to help, if so, what types of insulation can I use?
Is there a way to know if the compacted insulation in the attic is the reason for a cool room in the house? I have caulked around windows and gaps in the exterior of the house already. What's next, ripping the walls apart to see what's inside those exterior walls?
Thanks for any help here.
Then I just have to figure out how to keep the darn squirrels out, and doing this all over again.
#2
11-21-04, 07:19 PM
insulation is only as good as its actual depth, not how deep it was...or is supposed to be.
You can blow in more on top to add to it, it will then be as good as the new depth. If you put in bat insulation, you will have to get up in the attic, and if your joists are only 4" I don't know if I would want to be the one up there.
As far as the exterior walls, it would help if they were insulated, if you don't know, well...there's only one way to find out
. However if you decide to brave the attic, you could drill small holes through the top plate of the walls in question and look with a flashlight, or feel with a piece of wire.
BTW, good luck with the squirrels
You can blow in more on top to add to it, it will then be as good as the new depth. If you put in bat insulation, you will have to get up in the attic, and if your joists are only 4" I don't know if I would want to be the one up there.
As far as the exterior walls, it would help if they were insulated, if you don't know, well...there's only one way to find out
. However if you decide to brave the attic, you could drill small holes through the top plate of the walls in question and look with a flashlight, or feel with a piece of wire.BTW, good luck with the squirrels
#3
11-21-04, 07:33 PM
Thanks for the advice.
I have been up there quite a bit...searching for how those rodents are getting in! I feel good about it...maybe they're 2 x 6 joists.
Either way....how hard is blowing new insulation in? Something I can do...have to rent a machine or something I'm sure?
What about the Pink Panther rolled stuff? Is that "bat insulation" you mentioned?
I'd rather not rent some big contraption, nor hire someone, so the simpler the better...as long as I get good efficency with the insulation.
As for the walls....wouldn't it be illegal or something for a builder to NOT insulate exterior walls of a home?!?! We are planning a major master bath renovation soon that will tell me more about the quality "inside" my house.
jasonnc
I have been up there quite a bit...searching for how those rodents are getting in! I feel good about it...maybe they're 2 x 6 joists.
Either way....how hard is blowing new insulation in? Something I can do...have to rent a machine or something I'm sure?
What about the Pink Panther rolled stuff? Is that "bat insulation" you mentioned?
I'd rather not rent some big contraption, nor hire someone, so the simpler the better...as long as I get good efficency with the insulation.
As for the walls....wouldn't it be illegal or something for a builder to NOT insulate exterior walls of a home?!?! We are planning a major master bath renovation soon that will tell me more about the quality "inside" my house.
jasonnc
#4
11-21-04, 09:47 PM
"pink panther" insulation is the bat insulation i was talking about, and that would work. Just make sure you know what you're buying when you go to get it, they sell bats, and rolls. Personally I prefer rolls, cause bats are a PITA, IMHO, and only cover 5 feet at a time, but whichever you prefer, just make sure you specify. I would lay whichever of the two across the joists, not between them, more PITA and no reason to do it. Make sure to get unbacked insulation if they have it, or if you must get it with vapor barrier, put the paper side DOWN in your case. At any rate, the VB always goes towards the living space, whether its in a floor, ceiling, or wall.
Blow-in...in case you're interested, does indeed take a special machine, which you can rent, not too big and bulky, but not small either. Lowe's (or HD)
....well one of em...I noticed the other day, if you buy so many bags of insulation (I think 20) the machine is free to use. Something to ask about if you go that route.
As far as the exterior walls, its not illegal, that I'm aware of, to NOT insulate walls when building, unless your local code specifies.
Good luck with the master bath remodel, just remember that even if the BR walls are insulated (or aren't) doesn't mean its that way all through the house.
Blow-in...in case you're interested, does indeed take a special machine, which you can rent, not too big and bulky, but not small either. Lowe's (or HD)
....well one of em...I noticed the other day, if you buy so many bags of insulation (I think 20) the machine is free to use. Something to ask about if you go that route.As far as the exterior walls, its not illegal, that I'm aware of, to NOT insulate walls when building, unless your local code specifies.
Good luck with the master bath remodel, just remember that even if the BR walls are insulated (or aren't) doesn't mean its that way all through the house.
