New Roof/Insulation
#1
01-20-11, 06:13 AM
New Roof/Insulation
Hi Folks my apologies for posting something somewhat similar in another forum topic, however I am basically on a witch hunt as my house seems a bit colder this winter then normal and I just have ton's of questions.
We recently had a new roof installed back in the beginning of November, and can't help think it has something to do with it. While up in the attic installing some can lights I got a chance to look around a bit and notice a few things.
* Insulation is installed incorrectly. Batt face is up vs. being down toward the house. Between joists is cellulose insulation and the batts are laid perpendicular to joists. Looks pretty thin....
* I have an A frame roof, while in the attic I can see a nice daylight gap toward the bottom of the A frame where it meets the gutter area. Should that be? Should I see any daylight beside the gable vents up there.
* Attic is freeeezing, blowing smoke from the mouth the. Should it be that cold?
I guess what I am after is could the new roof have made my house colder? I thought/hoped it would perform the opposite as I have all new thicker plywood and new shingles. I also have a crawlspace, could that be an area of concern. Was in it last-night, well insulated but again it's WRONG and all backwards, however was surprisingly warmer down there. How much insulation is lost due to the fact it's installed wrong. Am I still getting some performance from it even though it's wrong?
Thanks in advance......
We recently had a new roof installed back in the beginning of November, and can't help think it has something to do with it. While up in the attic installing some can lights I got a chance to look around a bit and notice a few things.
* Insulation is installed incorrectly. Batt face is up vs. being down toward the house. Between joists is cellulose insulation and the batts are laid perpendicular to joists. Looks pretty thin....
* I have an A frame roof, while in the attic I can see a nice daylight gap toward the bottom of the A frame where it meets the gutter area. Should that be? Should I see any daylight beside the gable vents up there.
* Attic is freeeezing, blowing smoke from the mouth the. Should it be that cold?
I guess what I am after is could the new roof have made my house colder? I thought/hoped it would perform the opposite as I have all new thicker plywood and new shingles. I also have a crawlspace, could that be an area of concern. Was in it last-night, well insulated but again it's WRONG and all backwards, however was surprisingly warmer down there. How much insulation is lost due to the fact it's installed wrong. Am I still getting some performance from it even though it's wrong?
Thanks in advance......
#2
01-20-11, 08:47 AM
Insulation installed with the Kraft surface to the cold side is at risk of forming condensation, IF warm moist air reaches the kraft and it is a cold surface. In the crawl, the Kraft will be the same temp or warmer than the air below, so no condensation. In the attic, if air leaks up through the insulation below, it will find a cold surface and moisture could form.
Attics should ideally be the same temp as the outside. There should be vents in the area where you are seeing some light. Warm air that makes its way into the attic should exit through the gable vents and replacement air should come in from the soffit vents, or other low vents. As you add insulation, be sure to maintain air flow from those lower vents.
You mentioned recessed lights. Are they air sealed, IC rated and were they sealed to the hole during installation?
Bud
Attics should ideally be the same temp as the outside. There should be vents in the area where you are seeing some light. Warm air that makes its way into the attic should exit through the gable vents and replacement air should come in from the soffit vents, or other low vents. As you add insulation, be sure to maintain air flow from those lower vents.
You mentioned recessed lights. Are they air sealed, IC rated and were they sealed to the hole during installation?
Bud
