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Community and Q&A

Insulation for walls

nickirosa | Posted in Energy Efficiency and Durability on

Hi, I have a very old barn-shaped house which is not well insulated. I did blow insulation into the attic, but I know I am losing heat from the slanted walls upstairs. Do you know of any insulated wall coverings which I could affix to these walls? What do you think of cork? Thank You.

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  1. GBA Editor
    Martin Holladay | | #1

    Nicole,
    The best insulation materials are materials sold for insulation purposes. If you have uninsulated sloped roof assemblies, they can be insulated by a wide variety of materials, including spray foam and cellulose insulation. If you are unsure about how to insulate your sloped ceiling, you should probably consult an insulation contractor or home-performance contractor.

    Attaching cork to your ceiling will do little good, unless you (a) address air leakage, and (b) make sure that your thermal envelope is continuous -- without gaps.

    Cork can be used for insulation. More information here: Expanded Cork — The Greenest Insulation Material?

    For more information on insulated sloped ceilings, see How to Build an Insulated Cathedral Ceiling

    For more information on insulating homes with kneewalls, see Two ways to insulate attic kneewalls

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