Hi All,
Got a little problem in our circa 1850 farmhouse: The attic currently has no insulation and no venting of any kind -just one big dead air space. The second floor as a result is hard to warm in the winter and cool in the summer. Also I have some ice-damning going on.
I removed a section of soffit board this morning and there is a 6×6 handhewn beam visible with is blocking all access to the rafter bay – I think I’m in checkmate here, there just doesen’t seem to be anyway to vent the soffit – unless someone out there has an idea or two… At any rate, I’m thinking my only options are to install gable end vents and a ridge vent, then insulate the attic to R-38 and just filling up the the the rafter bays right down to the solid soffit board I will be re-installing. Is this making the best out of a not so great situation? Any ideas I’d sure appreciate.
Thanks,
Dave in Rochester NY
Replies
I am familiar with that detail. See it often in the way old houses here.
Just insulate the snot out of the attic space and add some gable end vents. Spray foam insulation would be best, but cellulose or BIBs OK too. The junction at the vertex over the beam is the critical area, where you will get minimal insulation and a chance for ice daming still, This is where foam is most likely best for you.
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Thanks piffin...by the way, what are BIB's? And you're basically saying to shoot Great-Stuff at the botoom of the rafter bay where it hits the beam, right?
Dave
BIBs + Blown I Blanket system, chopped fibreglas blown same way as Cellulose.I was actually recommending trying to find someone to spray urethyene foam in place over your cieling. Corbond is one brand. There are other local unbranded applicators. Icynene is another open celled with less R-value.But if you could not find someone to install like that or if it is out of your budget, you could use self installed out of a can or from one of the 40# kits like fomofoam or Enerfoam has available, and then do the rest of the space with cellulose of Bibs. Whatever - don't waste time and money on Fibreglas batts up there.
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