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I’m helping a friend choose insulation for an old cabin. A
new tin roof has already been put on, so it’s too late to
put insulation between the roof framing and the tin. The
rafters are real 2x4s (ie truly 2″ x 4″) so there’s space
between for some kind of insulation. The rafters are spaced
unevenly – between 21″ and 25″ apart. She would prefer at
least the edges of the rafters to show – no sheetrock over
them. But she’s willing to cover the rafters and then put new
wooden strips on.
Any suggestions as to the healthiest and most aesthetic way
to go? Are there any new insulation materials out that
would help? The cabin is very old with lots of character,
and my friend is very health conscious, so something like
sheets of foam won’t work – too incongruous for the cabin
ambience, plus outgassing. Of course working with bats of
fiberglass isn’t appealing either, tho if they could be
contained, this might work.
As a final problem – the new tin roof has some leaks. Even
when they’re fixed, there’s always the possibility of more
leaks later.
All suggestions, links, advice most welcome. TIA
Replies
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Cathy, I gotta ask, why would you even consider trying to insulate like this? The "New roof" leaks?
Why? DIY job that isn't right? Tear it off and start over, do it right. Anything else is just wasting your time and money. Joe H
*I'm going to ask my friend about the possibility of removing the metal roof and putting the insulation between the rafters and the metal. However, I don't think that's what she will want to do. The roof was put on by a contractor who will come back to fix the leaks before any insulation is done.Now - any suggestions? Thanks...
*I still have concerns over why the roof is leaking and where the leaks are. Leaking water into a house is a sure way to cause health and durability problems, regardless of the insulation used.-Rob
*True - the roof needs to be tight. I'm not commissioned to get info on that, however - just on the insulation options. Here's what I'm looking at: Icynene and Air-Krete (either of which require professional installation), Miraflex fiberglass or Greenwood Cotton bats (which would have to be cut to fit, and which any roof leaks would ruin), foil-backed rigid foamboard. The latter my friend will probably reject on the grounds that it will outgas. I think it's the last choice too, because even with the foil backing, without sheetrock it's a fire hazard.
*Cathy, with only 4" Icynene is the only one that will make any real difference. Still think tear off the roof, it was done wrong to start with. The same guy who did it wrong starting from scratch is now gonna patch it til it's right? Good luck, Joe H
*Have looked into Icynene some more today, and have been told that the material contains cyanide and that in Canada, it's against the law to inhabit the building for the first 30 days after Icynene is applied - because of the outgassing. If my friend can afford it, Air-Krete looks like a better deal - fireproof, no excess to trim off like Icynene, nontoxic. If she can't afford the Air-Krete - then maybe spray-on cellulose. But right now, with the info at hand, Air-Krete looks like the winner. Anyone have more ideas or comments? TIA
*Cathy - The cyanide and 30 day inhabitability thing sounds like complete bunk to me.-Rob
*I tracked down the source of the allegations and you're right. No cyanide is involved. The 30 day wait for inhabitation is for people who are environmentally sensitive. The Envirodesics study showed that for most people, outgassing was at insignificant levels within 2 weeks of application. For chemically hypersensitive people, outgassing was insignificant after 30 days.
*I was going to mention that study, but couldn't remeber the name, I knew the "Enviro" part....-Rob
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I'm helping a friend choose insulation for an old cabin. A
new tin roof has already been put on, so it's too late to
put insulation between the roof framing and the tin. The
rafters are real 2x4s (ie truly 2" x 4") so there's space
between for some kind of insulation. The rafters are spaced
unevenly - between 21" and 25" apart. She would prefer at
least the edges of the rafters to show - no sheetrock over
them. But she's willing to cover the rafters and then put new
wooden strips on.
Any suggestions as to the healthiest and most aesthetic way
to go? Are there any new insulation materials out that
would help? The cabin is very old with lots of character,
and my friend is very health conscious, so something like
sheets of foam won't work - too incongruous for the cabin
ambience, plus outgassing. Of course working with bats of
fiberglass isn't appealing either, tho if they could be
contained, this might work.
As a final problem - the new tin roof has some leaks. Even
when they're fixed, there's always the possibility of more
leaks later.
All suggestions, links, advice most welcome. TIA