insulation questions
#1
11-29-04, 10:02 AM
insulation questions
Hi all,
My girlfriend just bought a 1940's capecod in northeastern PA, and the exterior walls have...you guessed it, no insulation. I've been reading through this forum and have seen a lot of differing opinions about blown insulation. Now, this house has extremely thick wall surfaces. On top of the studs, there is a 3/8" layer of drywall, covered by a 1/2" layer of concrete wall board, covered by 1/8" of plaster. So, all told the wall is one inch thick. Very hard to tear through, by the way. My questions are these: Will the blown insulation cause these walls to bow, as it would if they were just drywall? Will we need to install a vapor barrier? Any idea of a ballpark figure on how much installation would be for about 100 linear feet, 8 feet high, 3.5 inches wide?
I appreciate any and all replies,
robot
My girlfriend just bought a 1940's capecod in northeastern PA, and the exterior walls have...you guessed it, no insulation. I've been reading through this forum and have seen a lot of differing opinions about blown insulation. Now, this house has extremely thick wall surfaces. On top of the studs, there is a 3/8" layer of drywall, covered by a 1/2" layer of concrete wall board, covered by 1/8" of plaster. So, all told the wall is one inch thick. Very hard to tear through, by the way. My questions are these: Will the blown insulation cause these walls to bow, as it would if they were just drywall? Will we need to install a vapor barrier? Any idea of a ballpark figure on how much installation would be for about 100 linear feet, 8 feet high, 3.5 inches wide?
I appreciate any and all replies,
robot
#2
12-01-04, 06:08 AM
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Realistically, you need a vapor barrier between hot and cold, meaning an exterior wall.
However, that's all for new construction. There's no way that I know of to do it in your current situation.
I would also say that in my experience, a good layer of plaster on top of a wall is pretty reasonable insulation in and of itself.
How would you blow in insulation anyway? Do you have access to eves or something that will make it possible?
I would suggest not worrying about insulation unless you are planning on COMPLETELY tearing the place apart, in which case it's a huge job. You would need a lot of insulation (not cheap), drywall, mud, screws, and time.
I lived in PA for 15 years, and although it gets a little chilly, it's not like you're in MA or MI.
My two cents.
Chris
However, that's all for new construction. There's no way that I know of to do it in your current situation.
I would also say that in my experience, a good layer of plaster on top of a wall is pretty reasonable insulation in and of itself.
How would you blow in insulation anyway? Do you have access to eves or something that will make it possible?
I would suggest not worrying about insulation unless you are planning on COMPLETELY tearing the place apart, in which case it's a huge job. You would need a lot of insulation (not cheap), drywall, mud, screws, and time.
I lived in PA for 15 years, and although it gets a little chilly, it's not like you're in MA or MI.
My two cents.
Chris
#3
12-01-04, 06:32 AM
Id say its more in what are you going to do with the home. How long will you be there to get a return on the $$$$ you put into it. Can drill from the outside and blow insulation in the walls. That much wall it wont bow on you. There also is a paint made that will work as a V/B for you thats can help there.
ED
ED
#4
12-02-04, 10:08 AM
interesting...
Yeah, we're not planning on staying there for much more than five years. We just had a guy come out for an estimate for blowing fiberglass fill in from the outside, which he assured us will not settle, and the estimate was $1170. However, we would like to sell this house for a tidy profit, so do you know if this will increase the value of the house enough to be worth it?
#5
12-02-04, 12:54 PM
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Originally Posted by wishiwereabot
Yeah, we're not planning on staying there for much more than five years. We just had a guy come out for an estimate for blowing fiberglass fill in from the outside, which he assured us will not settle, and the estimate was $1170. However, we would like to sell this house for a tidy profit, so do you know if this will increase the value of the house enough to be worth it?
Chris
