Hi,
We’re considering different materials for attic insulation. One material weights approx. 500 kg , and another one only 200 kg. Is it safe to add such a load on the house’s wooden frame? Should we chose the lighter one even if its price is considerably higher?
Thanks!
That is the total weight of the material you are planning on spreading over the entire attic, correct? How many square feet is your attic? This will probably be a judgment call on your part without knowing or seeing the condition of your home’s structure. Obviously you want to get the best material you can afford, but sometimes that isn’t enough.
I don’t know if you give advice, but i have had several contractors give estimates and tell me stories about my house I know to be untrue. I may be a 60 year old widow, and look vulnerable, but I worked for quite a few years in theater construction (professionally), so i know my way around a few tools and ladders.
Here is the problem: House built @ 1910 in NY state; re-roofed, with a center vent the length of the attic. It had @ 3″ of poured cellulose between the joists placed @ 1950 (we guess). Then a contractor laid 4″ of fiberglass, barrier down, on top of it (1978). Then the guys who did the roof (1994) put 1/2″ loose plywood on top of the fiberglass in many areas for catwalks, compressing it, and left it there. I want to add insulation, and perhaps a barrier as you write about. I don’t want to remove everything and start from nothing. I’m not trusting anyone who has come in for estimates – they’ve all lied to me about what’s up there because they think I haven’t looked.
Have you a suggestion on what I should do?
Lin,
What I need to know first is WHY you want to add more insulation. I assume because you are in NY it is to help keep your home warmer in the winter? If so, then I would start by making sure you have the proper amount of traditional insulation (blown in or batts – either is fine) that is recommended for your area. Then, I would add a radiant barrier foil over the plywood on the floor. The folks at AtticFoil.com sell a very economical product but it has AMAZING results. Here is a good explanation for how it works to help keep heat in the home: http://www.atticfoil.com/cold_climate.htm
Radiant barrier is your first line of defense against heat loss and traditional insulation is your second line of defense; by adding a radiant barrier to your traditional insulation, you make the insulation more effective. This results in a warmer home, that uses less heat to keep it warm in the winter. Conversely, it will also help in the summer time to prevent heat gain when temperature heat up!
January 20th, 2010 at 9:06 am
Hi,
We’re considering different materials for attic insulation. One material weights approx. 500 kg , and another one only 200 kg. Is it safe to add such a load on the house’s wooden frame? Should we chose the lighter one even if its price is considerably higher?
Thanks!
January 20th, 2010 at 2:13 pm
That is the total weight of the material you are planning on spreading over the entire attic, correct? How many square feet is your attic? This will probably be a judgment call on your part without knowing or seeing the condition of your home’s structure. Obviously you want to get the best material you can afford, but sometimes that isn’t enough.
August 7th, 2011 at 6:40 am
I don’t know if you give advice, but i have had several contractors give estimates and tell me stories about my house I know to be untrue. I may be a 60 year old widow, and look vulnerable, but I worked for quite a few years in theater construction (professionally), so i know my way around a few tools and ladders.
Here is the problem: House built @ 1910 in NY state; re-roofed, with a center vent the length of the attic. It had @ 3″ of poured cellulose between the joists placed @ 1950 (we guess). Then a contractor laid 4″ of fiberglass, barrier down, on top of it (1978). Then the guys who did the roof (1994) put 1/2″ loose plywood on top of the fiberglass in many areas for catwalks, compressing it, and left it there. I want to add insulation, and perhaps a barrier as you write about. I don’t want to remove everything and start from nothing. I’m not trusting anyone who has come in for estimates – they’ve all lied to me about what’s up there because they think I haven’t looked.
Have you a suggestion on what I should do?
I would be so appreciative.
Thanks
Lin
September 9th, 2011 at 9:43 am
Lin,
What I need to know first is WHY you want to add more insulation. I assume because you are in NY it is to help keep your home warmer in the winter? If so, then I would start by making sure you have the proper amount of traditional insulation (blown in or batts – either is fine) that is recommended for your area. Then, I would add a radiant barrier foil over the plywood on the floor. The folks at AtticFoil.com sell a very economical product but it has AMAZING results. Here is a good explanation for how it works to help keep heat in the home: http://www.atticfoil.com/cold_climate.htm
Radiant barrier is your first line of defense against heat loss and traditional insulation is your second line of defense; by adding a radiant barrier to your traditional insulation, you make the insulation more effective. This results in a warmer home, that uses less heat to keep it warm in the winter. Conversely, it will also help in the summer time to prevent heat gain when temperature heat up!