Stairs and insulation question
nhb22
2 years ago
last modified: 2 years ago
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Outland Construction
2 years agomillworkman
2 years agoRelated Discussions
insulation on stairway and a vapor barrier question
Comments (1)Put 1" extruded polystyrene (XPS) on the foundation wall, then finish the rest as they require. The polyvinyl vapour barrier is pointless, but it won't damage anything, according to Building Science Corp. I've had to do the same nonsense on two new homes. The most economical thing to do along the stairs is to use 1/2" or 1" XPS, followed by drywall above the staircase. It shouldn't hang over the stringer. Underneath, you can go thicker, as it doesn't interfere with anything. Here is a link that might be useful: Basements...See Morequestion about attic stair insulation
Comments (2)I built my own using a 4 X 8 sheet of 1 inch foam insulation. I found a set of plans to do this. Here is a link which has a similar plan. You can use even thicker foam insulation if you want a higher R-value. http://www.jacksonemc.com/Do-it-Yourself-Energy-Projects.43.0.html You may have to modify it a bit to fit your stairs. It was not very difficult to build. I put down weather stripping on the wooden frame. The box sits on the weather stripping which makes a tight seal. I even used the left over pieces on the sides in order to give it extra strength and weight. When I go into the attic I simply push the box so that it stands up on one of the long sides. To close I just lower the box into position onto the weather stripping. For about $25 you can build a custom fit cover. I think the key is the tight fit to stop air infiltration. I am not sure how good a job the store bought versions will do....See Morestupid insulation question
Comments (12)The ceiling is unfinished. Most of the basement is unfinished, but we do spend time in there--hobbies, laundry, small finished office, 1st floor powder room is actually half-way down the basement stairs, etc. We sort of have moisture problems, though they haven't really been problematic. No moisture coming through the foundation, that we can tell. We have some other moisture problems, like an annual plumbing backup (there are drains on the floor) which we've managed to prevent lately but isn't truly fixed. And once the city sewer backed up in there (that's exceptionally gross). So we do want to keep the floor clean, concrete, and bleachable for those special occasions when we feel the urge to sterilize the floor. It does get humid down there, not that you'd feel it. Very cool in summers, but on some days water will condense on the cold water pipes. It would make the most sense to just insulate the basement ceiling and just treat the basement as outside the heating/cooling "envelope", but the arrangement of stairs and doors (and halfbath) don't really permit that--I can't block off the stairs effectively. Lots of stuff to consider--thanks for the ideas. I like to think that my next house will be new and energy efficient and have a solar roof, but that's what I thought before I bought this one. New homes are so boring....See MoreGarage Insulation Question: how to apply insulation to certain areas?
Comments (3)You seem to be asking how to insulate the gable ends of the roof. If that is the question then you must be insulating the "rafters" (top chord of trusses) of the main roof and having an open ceiling. The quick answer is use the same insulation you are using in the rafters. But it can be more complicated than that depending on what/type/how you are doing it....See MoreShannon_WI
2 years agolast modified: 2 years agonhb22
2 years agolast modified: 2 years agoMark Bischak, Architect
2 years agolast modified: 2 years agoworthy
2 years agonhb22
2 years agolast modified: 2 years agonhb22
2 years agoworthy
2 years agolast modified: 2 years agores2architect
2 years agolast modified: 2 years agores2architect
2 years agolast modified: 2 years agonhb22
2 years agoMark Bischak, Architect
2 years ago
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