In addition to upgrading the insulation that separates the upper floor of your house from an unconditioned attic space it makes sense to insulate any exposed ductwork in the attic.
Attic insulation thisold house.
Loose fill or batt the common term for blanket insulation.
See below for a shopping list and tools.
While wearing dust mask and gloves carry r 38 batts of unfaced fiberglass insulation into the attic.
Without insulation attic ducts will get hot in the summer when they need to carry cool air and cold in the winter when they need to transport heated air.
Both can be added to uninsulated attics or layered over existing material.
Even if you bought the house with insulation already installed into it it s best to double check.
This old house general contractor tom silva explains the wide world of spray foam insulation how to install insulation learn how to beef up your wall s weather protection in 4 easy steps.
For diy attic insulation you ve got two choices.
The insulation must meet doe standards.
Whether it s thick blankets of fiberglass batts meringue like mounds of spray foam tom s favorite or layers of seaweed discovered under the floors of the first toh project all insulation works the same way.
By trapping tiny air pockets that slow the movement of heat out of a house in winter and into a house in summer.
The insulation materials used in older houses are not as effective in keeping heat in as the new ones.
Cost effective way to save energy with this old house general contractor tom silva.
Once you ve decided which type is best for you examine the material options and prices to home in on the right product.
In this video this old house general contractor tom silva and host kevin o connor explain how to insulate an attic.
Lay the batts across the ceiling joists covering the existing insulation.
The answer to making an old house inhabitable is insulation.
See below for a shopping list and tools subscribe to this old house.