OT, attic insulation question

11 years ago

I posted on the conversation forum. Would appreciate any info or opinions if you've had insulation blown into your attic.
We're getting bids on both types.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (3)

mswillis5
11 years ago
I blew my own insulation in with the help of my wife. I had 4-5 inches of insulation when I started. After blowing 40 bundles in I had about 30 inches of insulation. I used cellulose. Total cost was $200 because I had coupons. Without coupons it would be $300. My house is 1500 square feet for reference. It only took me 1 hour of time.

Questions I would ask for those giving you bids:
Approximately how many hours are you planning?
How many employees would be working during this time?
How many inches of insulation will be there when complete?

If you have 1500 square feet and they are adding 24 inches it would be $300 for the materials. Add about $25/hour for each employee they state.

For 2 employees taking 2 hours and approximately $300 in materials
Anywhere near $500 would be a reasonable quote to me.
beachplant
11 years ago
We plan to put insulation in our attic when it cools down again next fall. We are going to use the spray type. Our attic has insulation, it got wet when the roof blew off in Ike then melted when the roofers set the house on fire. No telling what kind of mess is up there, the guys just worked around it when the house was repaired. Instead of trying to get out that old nasty stuff we are just covering it up. I don`t even want to think about it. I`ll probably pay my brother,he`s a contractor, to do the work.
Tally HO!
Related Discussions
Help with Furnace in Attic, Ventilation/Insulation Question?
Q
Comments (1)
You can go either way. The air supply should be with a device designed for the task and interlocked with the furnace so if there is no air supply, the furnace will not start. I would do both if it is possible. Give the furnace its own space sealed off from the living space. Install an interlocked air supply. http://www.hoyme.com/
...See More
Another Attic Insulation Question & Help
Q
Comments (4)
I'm unclear on the flooring myself - I guess there are beams going the opposite direction of the joists. Ok - I can picture it. What about your r-19 grouped with some foam? I am imaging 1 inch of foam on the plaster/drywall sprayed in to seal it. It also adds some R-value and thickness. Then if you wanted some more r-value, you could do 1 inch rigid foam (or 2 inches) on top of the joists. This would help with thermal coupling of the joists. Getting to a magical R-value is not the only concern. Sealing properly is worth a lot. That being said, you would be at r-27. Spray foam is about a dollar per sq foot at an inch thickness. So you are looking at $1500 - but you might use less because of the joists. The rigid foam is about 1/3 of that so you would need $500 for that. Not cheap but 30% tax credit would count. I think you would be fine from a vapor barrier standpoint. 1 inch of rigid foam does not count as a barrier but 3 inches would. I would want some independent confirmation on the vapor barrier question.
...See More
Questions about attic & insulation
Q
Comments (29)
Start with the most important issue and its not the temperature of the attic. If the HVAC equipment and/or ducts are in the attic, you are losing a great deal of conditioned air to the attic space due to leaks and older minimum code insulation and you need to put an end to that waste. You also need to avoid bringing large amounts of hot/humid or cold air into the attic. That is never effective because so much of the heat in an attic is from infra-red radiation from the bottom of the roof deck that passes through air without being cooled. The modern solution is to insulate between the roof rafters and, if you like, add a ventilation space between the insulation and the roof deck so air that enters at the eaves can exit from the ridge and slowly dry the roof deck. Or , alternatively, you can seal the attic - its your choice. The attic space would then be partially conditioned by the HVAC air leaks and thin insulation which will keep it at a moderate temperature, dry and not musty and will reduce the heat and cooling losses from the house below. This is how new houses are built.
...See More
Attic conversion insulation questions
Q
Comments (11)
http://www.southface.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/Georgia-energy-code-appendix-RA-AirsealingInsulation-keypoints.pdf page six foam sheathing to attic side of kneewalls (walls of living space shared with attic). don't skip detail #17 1. Question - the floor behind the kneewall is insulated with a loose insulation - does the ceiling need insulation behind the knee wall? no, your radiant barrier roof decking can not have materials installed against it as it will eliminate the radiant barrier. If so, I would run my vent all the way to the outside venting. If not, can I just run my air flow vent to the space behind the knee wall? vent (for bath fan? ) to exterior of house. never vent into attic. 2. Question 2 - I've seen both suggestions, do interior attic walls need insulated? the walls shared with living space and attic space should be insulated and air sealed with foam sheathing as detailed in linked doc 3. Question 3 - Several areas of large HVAC ducts - there is no room to insulate the areas, what needs to be done or can the be drywalled over, as the ducts themselves are insulated? where are these ducts located? I can't tell from pics. I see nice straight well strapped ducts in a joist bay. flex will either be R-6 or R-8, the latter preferred. not sure what code dictates for your location. best of luck
...See More
beachplant
11 years ago
wait, we have balloon framing so no spray on insulation, it just falls down between the walls to the ground. Drats, forgot that.
Tally HO!

Related Stories

REMODELING GUIDES Cool Your House (and Costs) With the Right Insulation

By Buckminster Green LLC

Insulation offers one of the best paybacks on your investment in your house. Here are some types to discuss with your contractor

Full Story

GREEN BUILDING Insulation Basics: Heat, R-Value and the Building Envelope

By Mariana Pickering (Emu Building Science)

Learn how heat moves through a home and the materials that can stop it, to make sure your insulation is as effective as you think

Full Story

140

MATERIALS Insulation Basics: What to Know About Spray Foam

By Mariana Pickering (Emu Building Science)

Learn what exactly spray foam is, the pros and cons of using it and why you shouldn’t mess around with installation

Full Story

280

GREEN BUILDING Ecofriendly Cool: Insulate With Wool, Cork, Old Denim and More

By Julia Pockett

Learn about the pros and cons of healthier alternatives to fiberglass and foam, and when to consider an insulation switch

Full Story

GREEN BUILDING Insulation Basics: Designing for Temperature Extremes in Any Season

By Mariana Pickering (Emu Building Science)

Stay comfy during unpredictable weather — and prevent unexpected bills — by efficiently insulating and shading your home

Full Story

WINDOW TREATMENTS Easy Green: 9 Low-Cost Ways to Insulate Windows and Doors

By Laura Gaskill

Block drafts to boost both warmth and energy savings with these inexpensive but effective insulating strategies

Full Story

GREEN BUILDING Insulation Basics: Natural and Recycled Materials

By Mariana Pickering (Emu Building Science)

Consider sheep’s wool, denim, cork, cellulose and more for an ecofriendly insulation choice

Full Story

REMODELING GUIDES Considering a Fixer-Upper? 15 Questions to Ask First

By Sarah Phipps Design

Learn about the hidden costs and treasures of older homes to avoid budget surprises and accidentally tossing valuable features

Full Story

149

MOVING Hiring a Home Inspector? Ask These 10 Questions

By Christine Tusher

How to make sure the pro who performs your home inspection is properly qualified and insured, so you can protect your big investment

Full Story

REMODELING GUIDES A Dark Atlanta Attic Welcomes a Light-Filled Bathroom

By Becky Harris

From architecturally quirky attic to sunny bathroom, this renovated space now has everything a growing family could need

Full Story

OT, attic insulation question

Comments (3)

mswillis5

beachplant

Related Discussions

beachplant

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US