Insulation, Radiant and Vapor Barriers - Old/New Ways Of Thinking-Slope Insulation
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Conserve NRG
04-22-02, 12:09 PM
On occasion I see many people with the thought of leaving an airspace between the roof sheathing and installed isulation in sloped ceilings of a kneewall attic.
It is thought that this provides a path for which air can travel. This may be a viable point if you cannot ventilate the kneewall portion of the attic. However, in most cases these areas can be ventilated effectively.
There is no other reason that these sloped areas cannot be insulated to refusal (ice damming does not apply here- the insulated slopes exterior surface [roof] would retain the same temperature as the uninsulated portion).
Get this- if you are only able to add 2-4 inches of insualtion to a sloped area AND provide an area for COLD AIR to travel what use is it? Wouldn't it be better to have 5 1/2 inches of insulation and NO path for cold air to travel? Think about it.
It is thought that this provides a path for which air can travel. This may be a viable point if you cannot ventilate the kneewall portion of the attic. However, in most cases these areas can be ventilated effectively.
There is no other reason that these sloped areas cannot be insulated to refusal (ice damming does not apply here- the insulated slopes exterior surface [roof] would retain the same temperature as the uninsulated portion).
Get this- if you are only able to add 2-4 inches of insualtion to a sloped area AND provide an area for COLD AIR to travel what use is it? Wouldn't it be better to have 5 1/2 inches of insulation and NO path for cold air to travel? Think about it.