Replies

1. 
   calvin | Oct 05, 2012 11:03pm | #1

   This is a tough one.

   You have limited experience, you studied the forum and found nothing exactly like you have, you want to do something but unsure what and have limited funds.

   Outside of not knowing what climate you live in, I'm sure there's a bunch more questions we could ask.

1. 
   outbreak187 | Oct 06, 2012 08:45am | #3

   Thank you

   calvin wrote:

   You have limited experience, you studied the forum and found nothing exactly like you have, you want to do something but unsure what and have limited funds.

   Outside of not knowing what climate you live in, I'm sure there's a bunch more questions we could ask.

   Hello,

   I guess my experience is indeed limited; however, I know I can do what needs to be done with my own hands. I know you know what you are doing Calvin, but I simply can not afford to pay to get it done by a contracto. I'm in NJ so it probably makes it more difficult. The attic is finished now and it has been for fifty years I would just like to make it better insulated.

   Thank You

1. 
   calvin | Oct 06, 2012 09:10am | #4

   Ok

   Now we're getting started.  The climate is NJ.

   How deep are the rafters?

   How do they sit on the top plate of the wall?

   When was the roof done?  could you take the insulation on top of the roof-stress skin panels?

   Are there knee walls?

   Gable or hip?

   Are you going to rewire?

   Is the plumbing sound or are you redoing that down to the drain in the basement/crawl?

   Adding windows or changing them out?

   There's absolutely nothing wrong with doing it yourself if you have the qualifications.  Some folks show up here and think this work is easy..............anybody can do it.

   I do not mean to deflate your desire.  Best of luck.

1. 
   outbreak187 | Oct 06, 2012 11:27am | #5

   :-) thank you

   So,

   We did not take down the walls yet but I might be able to get in there soon to check few things.

   Rafter size = have to verify.

   How do they sit on top plate = have to crawl in to check.

   The roof probably in the last 10 years. So doing SIPs would mean taking down the whole roof including plywood, it's an option but really a last! Resort!

   Knee walls present.

   Gabble.

   Will most likely rewire as it has no ceiling lights.

   Plumbing is staying.

   Full finished basement.

   Windows are staying for now.

   Thank You!

1. 
   xxPaulCPxx | Oct 06, 2012 08:17pm | #6

   http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=home_sealing.hm_improvement_insulation_table

   Where you live, you need between R38 and R49 in your attic.  Cellulose is the cheapest to install (and usually the best option too), but it is only R3.5 per inch, which means you need between 11 and 14 inches of cellulose.  Foams can get up to 6.5 an inch, you can buy them by the sheet and cut them to fit, or fasten them to the underside of rafters with cells blown behind.

2. 
   DanH | Oct 06, 2012 09:05pm | #7

   You have an uninsulated attic built at least 50 years ago.  Odds are the rafters are no deeper than 6" and may be only 4".  Not a lot of room for insulation without taking away a significant amount of headroom.

2. 
   DanH | Oct 06, 2012 07:25am | #2

   Basically, there's no good solution to your problem.  Vaulted ceilings in general are a problem, and the lack of soffits makes it worse.  There are several expensive solutions (involving foam), but doing the job with more conventional materials is difficult to impossible.