Insulation, Radiant and Vapor Barriers - attic insulation in old house
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mke
01-24-06, 07:25 AM
I don't know much about home improvements, so I apologize for not knowing a lot of the terminology and for asking a fairly basic question.
I removed the old insulation (looked like cotton batting or a combination of cotton and wool) from the unfinished attic of a small house built in the 1930's. I do not plan to finish the attic, so I am just putting down fiberglass insulation on the floor, which is above two medium-sized rooms and a hallway (I am also not good at judging square footage). At either end of the attic there are vents, but there are no soffitt vents along the sides.
I have read about placing chutes or insulvent where the floor (or joists) meets the roof or eave, to keep the insulation from covering up the soffitt vents and allow air flow, control moisture. I understand that this is more of a concern with foam insulation.
My question is this: since I don't have soffitt vents, should I stuff insulation into the angle where the floor meets the roof? Or should I leave some space there instead so that the air that comes into the attic from the vents can circulate? Or would doing so just allow warm air to escape into the attic? The two vents at either end have provided sufficient air flow, as condensation or mold or anything like that have not been a problem.
I was told by a relative that it would be best to leave a bit of space, in part so that the insulation doesn't come up too far on the underside of the roof (which is sloped). I just don't want to do anything to cause problems with ice damns or mold (the house is in NY).
Thanks in advance for any help you can give.
I removed the old insulation (looked like cotton batting or a combination of cotton and wool) from the unfinished attic of a small house built in the 1930's. I do not plan to finish the attic, so I am just putting down fiberglass insulation on the floor, which is above two medium-sized rooms and a hallway (I am also not good at judging square footage). At either end of the attic there are vents, but there are no soffitt vents along the sides.
I have read about placing chutes or insulvent where the floor (or joists) meets the roof or eave, to keep the insulation from covering up the soffitt vents and allow air flow, control moisture. I understand that this is more of a concern with foam insulation.
My question is this: since I don't have soffitt vents, should I stuff insulation into the angle where the floor meets the roof? Or should I leave some space there instead so that the air that comes into the attic from the vents can circulate? Or would doing so just allow warm air to escape into the attic? The two vents at either end have provided sufficient air flow, as condensation or mold or anything like that have not been a problem.
I was told by a relative that it would be best to leave a bit of space, in part so that the insulation doesn't come up too far on the underside of the roof (which is sloped). I just don't want to do anything to cause problems with ice damns or mold (the house is in NY).
Thanks in advance for any help you can give.