Replacing Attic Insulation With Foam
By martin holladay issue 270 oct nov 2017 we have about r 45 worth of blown cellulose on the attic floor of our 100 year old chicago home and a furnace and ductwork in the attic.
Replacing attic insulation with foam. Use canned minimally expanding spray foam daptex plus window door foam sealant 7 for 16 ounces. Since the 1970s insulation manufacturers have greatly improved their products to keep more heat or cold in and save you more energy. Because it requires professional installation closed cell foam insulation is pricey but. Replace cellulose with spray foam address the air leaks and convert a vented unconditioned attic into an unvented conditioned attic.
Older homes including any and all homes built in the 1970s or earlier should definitely get their insulation replaced especially if the insulation hasn t been replaced since the 1970s. Closed cell and open cell aka 2 pound and pound respectively. Foam insulation can settle after a year and may need to be replaced to keep it fluffy and insulating properly. This construction approach was first used in the 1970s and it has been implemented much more widely since it was first included in the international code council s icc model building code in 2007 irc section 806 4.
While that may give you some added storage space it makes proper attic ventilation problematic. How to replace the blown attic insulation with closed cell foam closed cell foam insulation. While most blown in insulation contains cellulose fibers if the house was built. Removing the old insulation.
Unlike blown in insulation spray foam is applied to the underside of your roof as opposed to the attic floor. Choose from two types. Spray foam insulation is often used in places that are difficult to access and install other types of insulation. A typical insulation project can range from 1 500 to 5 000 depending on the size of the project.
This type of insulation may last up to 100 years or more. They sport insulation values of approximately r 6 5 and r 3 6 per inch respectively. Most unvented attics incorporate spray polyurethane foam spf on the underside of the roof deck and attic walls. We typically work through and seal the attic bypasses with the existing insulation in place olson says.
This insulation is made from a foam material that is sprayed into the installation area then expands to fill the space.