Insulation, Radiant and Vapor Barriers - Reinsulation

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Jwhdrk1
01-16-06, 08:47 AM
I want to reinsulate the attic of the 16 year old townhouse I just moved into. The insulation that's currently in the attic is "loose" (it looks like shredded insulation) so I'm assuming that it was "blown in"(?). Do I need to remove the old loose/shredded insulation before putting in the new insulation (I planning on using the "rolled" type)? :confused:

Concretemasonry
01-16-06, 09:17 AM
No need to remove the old insulation. You can use either loose insulation or rolled. If you have roof trusses, you may get better insulation coverage with loose insulation.

If you use rolled, get the unfaced type. You will probably get a better job by placing it perpendicular to your ceiling joists.

Dick
doug thomas
01-17-06, 08:03 AM
Reinsulating is nice, but most homes, even cold homes, typically have enough insulation. In most homes, adding more insulation has no effect.

Your home is more likely uncomfortable because it is as leaky as a sieve. You'd get a better return on your investment if you got a home energy auditor to pin point all your leaks, and then caulked them / sealed them. Then, if your house is still performing poorly, it isn't much work to add more insulation.

Jwhdrk1
01-17-06, 06:59 PM
Are home energy auditors in the phone book? I couldn't find anything under that heading..............
doug thomas
01-18-06, 07:46 AM
Apparently you have to go through your state weatherization program? I'm just reading off the DOE site ;)

Here are some links:
http://www.eere.energy.gov/consumer/your_home/energy_audits/index.cfm/mytopic=11180
http://doityourself.com/energy/homeenergyaudits.htm
http://www.diynetwork.com/diy/he_diagnostics/article/0,2037,DIY_13893_2274796,00.html

I don't remember how we found our guy. I think he was just a friend of a friend.