Hi All,
I’m in the process of renovating an older house. Part of the exercise is replacing cracked and leaking windows with new energy efficient ones. In addition, I am removing all the plasterboard/sheetrock on outside walls and replacing “worn out” or in some cases, non-existent insulation. I would like to add more than what will fit inside a 2×4 bay. What are my options? Adding a 2×3 or a 2×4 wall flush with the existing? Special insulation? Sistering 2x6s? Something else?
I am never going to have this opportunity again, so I’m thinking let’s do it right the first time.
The outside walls are single layer brick with what appears to be homosote or an equivalent as sheathing. House was built in the late 40s early 50s…
Thoughts?
Larry,
Long Island, NY
Replies
2 lb foam,is your air barrier, vapor barrier and is R-6 per inch,
lilarry
1. You could use the Mooney wall.
http://forums.taunton.com/tp-breaktime/messages?msg=65624.1
2. You could hire a spray foam comapany to spray foam the walls.
3. You could insulate the stud cavities with fiberglass or blown in cellulose. Then cover the walls with 2" XPS (Dow Blue board) R-10, fur out walls with 1x3 or 2x2 then sheetrock.
Rich
Closed cell spray foam. Done once, done forever.
Spray foam would be the best. How is the condition of the plaster, if its good with some spray foam they can leave the plaster and spray through a few well placed 1" holes that you repair after.
Insulation is as much about sealing to stop air infiltration as it is about thickness.
I have a similar situation in my house.
While the foam offers the greatest insulating value it has
other issues I'm not all that comfortable with.
Such as ants, flammability, detriment to our environment and
it's permanence in the wall structure.
So, I've used it in rooms where I can't afford to loose any
square footage and furred out the walls for dense packed cellulose everywhere else.
This also has the advantage of keeping costs down.
Thank you and all the other members for your replies...now I've got some thinkin' to do...Larry