GBA Logo horizontal Facebook LinkedIn Email Pinterest Twitter X Instagram YouTube Icon Navigation Search Icon Main Search Icon Video Play Icon Plus Icon Minus Icon Picture icon Hamburger Icon Close Icon Sorted

Community and Q&A

Insulating cathedral ceiling from inside out?

mthall | Posted in Energy Efficiency and Durability on

Renovating a home in zone 6. The home has a cathedral ceiling with old 1x bead board on interior. we are removing the existing shingles and the old 1x material sheathing. The exposed rafters are 2×12 no sheetrock. The bead board is nailed directly to the rafters. We were thinking about closed cell foam at a thickness of either 3 or 4″ on the outer side of the bead board between the rafters stopping the foam from going through by putting tar paper down first. Then installing fiberglass or rock wool bats to bring it up to the necessary R value. Finishing with zip system sheathing and asphalt shingles. We were also going to allow it to be vented. Doing it from the inside is not an option as much of the demo has taken place. Any potential issues with this?

GBA Prime

Join the leading community of building science experts

Become a GBA Prime member and get instant access to the latest developments in green building, research, and reports from the field.

Replies

  1. GBA Editor
    Martin Holladay | | #1

    Monique,
    Your suggested method will work. A friend of mine with a leaky cathedral ceiling did exactly the work that you describe, and it made a huge difference in comfort.

Log in or create an account to post an answer.

Community

Recent Questions and Replies

  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |