Air Seal The Attic Floor
Once you deal with the air up there this problem goes away with or without the insulation in the attic floor.
Air seal the attic floor. Don t attempt any air sealing work in an attic insulated with vermiculite. Removal of vermiculite insulation should only be performed by. When you re done sealing your attic bypasses push the insulation back into place with an old broom handle or stick as you back out of the attic. If your attic floor is insulated with vermiculite a type of insulation that may contain asbestos don t touch the insulation.
Spray foam insulation is an incomplete name. It really should be called spray foam insulation and air barrier. If your hatch rests directly on the moldings like ours did add 2 1 2 in wide stops around the. A home energy company has proposed a solution that involves sealing air leaks in the bedroom ceilings attic floor sealing around the chimney weatherizing the attic hatch insulating a few roof areas that the builders missed and adding cellulose to the rest of the attic to bring it up to r 60.
A properly done spray foam job not only insulates but also greatly reduces the air leakage of. Image 1 of 4 intello is a membrane is a smart vapor retarder with a permeance that ranges from 13 2 perms to less than 0 13 perm. Most people just add insulation to their attic this will not stop the escaping warm air. The attic is usually where you can find some of the largest opportunities to save energy in your home.
Then finish up by sealing the access hatch with self sticking foam weatherstrip photos 10 and 11. Without air sealing your attic you are allowing warm air to escape from your home carrying with it your hard earned winter heating money. While you are in the attic sealing air leaks look for any ductwork that may be up there. Gaps in the attic or between the lower floors and the attic will let heated or cooled air escape to the great unconditioned outdoors making any insulation you add essentially useless.
By air sealing in your attic you can stop many major air leaks and help to maintain the desired temperature throughout your home. Sealing duct leaks can improve the efficiency of your hvac system by around 20. Air seal your attic for energy savings. The number one prep step.
Combined with attic insulation air sealing can help to alleviate the formation of dangerous ice dams in the winter. To get a better air seal. It made a lighter easier to. By eric whetzel december 5 2017.