Advice on insulating CMU chase
hello all – looking for some advice for insulating an exterior wall that is adjacent/part of my fireplace. There is a small enclosed cabinet next to the fireplace that is intended for wood storage – it is all concrete block on the interior with stone and brick on the interior/exterior facing surfaces. This area literally is a straight shot up into the attic and has no insulation on the walls – I’m in the Northeast therefore it is colder and draftier than…. my thoughts were to use 2″ PolyIso foam (I have some left over from another project) and adhere it to the exterior facing walls with some expanding foam. I would also make a “ceiling” with the PolyIso sealed with expanding foam to the wall panels – then head up into the attic and cover with some batt insulation that is already up there. Does this sound like a good approach? Also – is it necessary to “enclose” the PolyIso with a layer of drywall? If so, any recommendations on an adhesive I could use to laminate the drywall to the Iso so I don’t have to get into putting furring strips in would be appreciated. Couple drawings/pics attached – hope they help to visualize the situation. Thanks, SD
Replies
Not sure I understand the physical properties ... particularly the statement that implies there is no ceiling between the wood storage and the attic. I'd think you may want to cover polyiso w/ e.g. drywall, too. Partly for durability. Strange space above the wood storage? Just a big void/wasted area?? Someone dropped the ball it seems in the details of this construction.
thanks for the reply Clewless - I went ahead and lined it with the poly and it has made a significant difference - I will also put a layer of drywall or possibly even plywood for durability.
regarding the space above the wood storage - yes, it is just a void/wasted area - not too dissimilar from the adjacent chimney stack but without purpose. we purchased the house from the original owner who was also the builder of the house, and there are plenty of strange details. Some areas are completely overbuilt (plenty of steel i-beams supporting a single level ranch) while others a bit suspect. That being said there is a ton of character to the house and we love it.
anyway, thanks again for the response