Greening Your Home - Attic with floor–insulating
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AnneD
07-19-08, 12:14 PM
My unfinished attic has a hardwood floor. I don't have much money. I would like to buy roll insulation over the summer and gradually just lay it out on the floor. Will this help reduce my heat consumption?
If so, should I buy the foil faced insulation or unfaced, and which side should face up?
If so, should I buy the foil faced insulation or unfaced, and which side should face up?
mcircus
07-19-08, 08:33 PM
Sure, it'd work. Use the unfaced. Pay special attention to how the edge of the floor was sealed or not sealed to the unheated space. All the insulation in the world wouldn't help if the heated air just go's around it.
mfahey
07-25-08, 12:18 PM
Hi Anne,
First, I don't want to contradict anyone on the board. If you don't have much money, first call your utility and apply for their weatherization program. Most utilities have these free programs which will insulate if you income qualify. They can also refer you to a contractor who could do it.
Visit:
http://www.eere.energy.gov/weatherization/state_contacts.cfm
Without seeing the attic, I have to tell you the proper way.
Under your floor boards are joists. The insulation should be laid between the floor joists, not the attic floor. It seems you cannot do this by your description.
You could have cellulose insulation blown in. Home Depot and other building supplies rent blowers and may actually provide them for free if you buy the insulation. Boards can be pulled up and the insulation blown can fill the cavities. The cost is about the same, if not cheaper, than fiberglass.
Laying insulation on the floor will actually work, but it is not as effective as lying it between the joists. You would install the insulation with a vapor barrier facing down. The isulation prevents to a cetain level the cold or hot air in the attic from coming directly through the building material. Think of it as using a towell to pick up a hot pot on the stove. The thicker the towell, the less you feel the heat.
The other post refered to sealing. This would prevent air movement around building materials. It does not actually increase the effectiveness of the insulation as fiberglass does little to prevent air infiltration. They are correct in that all attics should be air sealed.
Good luck.
mfahey
mfahey@thetradesjournal.com
First, I don't want to contradict anyone on the board. If you don't have much money, first call your utility and apply for their weatherization program. Most utilities have these free programs which will insulate if you income qualify. They can also refer you to a contractor who could do it.
Visit:
http://www.eere.energy.gov/weatherization/state_contacts.cfm
Without seeing the attic, I have to tell you the proper way.
Under your floor boards are joists. The insulation should be laid between the floor joists, not the attic floor. It seems you cannot do this by your description.
You could have cellulose insulation blown in. Home Depot and other building supplies rent blowers and may actually provide them for free if you buy the insulation. Boards can be pulled up and the insulation blown can fill the cavities. The cost is about the same, if not cheaper, than fiberglass.
Laying insulation on the floor will actually work, but it is not as effective as lying it between the joists. You would install the insulation with a vapor barrier facing down. The isulation prevents to a cetain level the cold or hot air in the attic from coming directly through the building material. Think of it as using a towell to pick up a hot pot on the stove. The thicker the towell, the less you feel the heat.
The other post refered to sealing. This would prevent air movement around building materials. It does not actually increase the effectiveness of the insulation as fiberglass does little to prevent air infiltration. They are correct in that all attics should be air sealed.
Good luck.
mfahey
mfahey@thetradesjournal.com