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Community and Q&A

Is it worth the effort? Attic insulation detailing.

GaryZ | Posted in Energy Efficiency and Durability on

My home is a 1950, 2 floor, brick colonial in the Detroit area (5A). This place was built with no wall insulation. There is still no wall insulation.
Last fall, I did an insulation and envelope sealing upgrade. In the attic, blowing in Fiberglas over existing R-19 to net about R-50. The total insulation layer is about 16″ above the wall plates. We foamed the attic penetrations and reluctantly removed a large whole house fan. In the basement, we foamed the band joist area and under the floor plates to reduce the airflow into the uninsulated walls. I was able to shove baffles down into most of the rafter bays, but due to the low slope, hip roof on this house, it was impossible to do a first rate job of detailing the sealing of the top plates of the exterior walls and controlling the air flow at the perimeter. This leaves issues of wind washing, compromised ventilation (especially in the corners), etc. It is an imperfect world . . .
So, here’s the question: This spring, I’m going to have a new roof installed, with a tear-off of the old shingles. How do I assess if it is worth the hassle and expense of pulling the bottom 3 – 4 feet of roof boards to adjust the perimeter detailing?

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Replies

  1. GBA Editor
    Martin Holladay | | #1

    Gary,
    I don't think there is any easy way to assess how leaky this area is, or how value your retrofit work will be, unless you pull a few boards and look at the area.

    It's a judgment call. You sound like the kind of homeowner who would prefer to have the work done than to have a nagging thought in the back of your head, "I should have done that when I had the chance."

    So do it.

  2. GaryZ | | #2

    Martin,
    Thanks for the quick reply. You are right about that voice in my head. After 30 yrs in the remod business, I still can't get it to shut up! I have learned over the years, however, that it isn't always correct. That's the rub.

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