Attic Walls Insulation With Plywood Covering February, June, 2014
IMG_3830 2/20/2014, 1:09 PM
Wreckage of loose-fill insulation has been reset in cold Winter weather, after replacing six energy-bleed can lights with LED plate lights, set on junction boxes. Intended R19 fiberglass actually R10 is again about R10. Wait until attic wall insulation is fixed, to bring this floor insulation up to R49. This album will document all attic floor sealing beyond the can lights overhaul, along with work on attic walls.
p 1 of 89
Attic Walls Insulation With Plywood Covering February, June, 2014
IMG_3828 2/20/2014, 1:07 PM
Attic wall insulation has been out of contact with drywall, everywhere. At right on this batt, spacing resulted from edge stapling. At left a 1 1/2” gap was allowed in draping over on-flat 2x4.
p 2 of 89
Attic Walls Insulation With Plywood Covering February, June, 2014
IMG_3831 2/20/2014, 4:02 PM
Before fixing wall insulation, seal wall headers.
p 3 of 89
Attic Walls Insulation With Plywood Covering February, June, 2014
IMG_3833 2/20/2014, 4:03 PM
Seal under blocks over wall headers.
p 4 of 89
Attic Walls Insulation With Plywood Covering February, June, 2014
IMG_3834 2/20/2014, 4:03 PM
All grayness in the white loose-fill is from warm air carried into the attic. Wiring holes have carried more leakage, than usually-tight drywall gaps in this home.
p 5 of 89
Attic Walls Insulation With Plywood Covering February, June, 2014
IMG_3835 2/20/2014, 4:03 PM
Air leakge bypasses batt insulation, and blackness is on the surface.
p 6 of 89
Attic Walls Insulation With Plywood Covering February, June, 2014
IMG_3838 2/20/2014, 4:44 PM
I will find the reason for electricians tape over a 14-ga romex lead down the kitchen West wall. I won’t bury splices or attic junction boxes.
p 7 of 89
Attic Walls Insulation With Plywood Covering February, June, 2014
IMG_3839 2/20/2014, 4:44 PM
I employ the loose-fill to thicken grout in largest gaps. The header surface is soaked by sponge, and loose-fill fragments into grout when wet. Grout is sucked into wet smaller gaps, and usually bridges in one application of grout.
p 8 of 89
Attic Walls Insulation With Plywood Covering February, June, 2014
IMG_3840 2/20/2014, 4:44 PM
The flexible-grout sealing of wire holes is less permanent than deep insertion of sealing foam. I wet and then prime a hole with grout, push in a gob af verywet loose fill, and crown the patch with a puddle of wet grout. A header is almost immediately walkable. I will never ruin someone’s carpets with tracked orange yuk. I can quite easily cut out the airtight cap of flexible grout.
p 9 of 89
Attic Walls Insulation With Plywood Covering February, June, 2014
IMG_3841 2/20/2014, 5:18 PM
The collapsed loose-fill is generally 3” depth. I need depth at least 3 1/2” to not have voids under topping insulation, and don’t want the topping insulation to pick up loose fill. Therefore plan to work the loose fill further to uniform 2” depth.
p 10 of 89
Attic Walls Insulation With Plywood Covering February, June, 2014
IMG_3842 2/20/2014, 5:18 PM
The R11 23” width kraft insulation of attic walls will all be used in the topping of floor insulation
p 11 of 89
Attic Walls Insulation With Plywood Covering February, June, 2014
IMG_3843 2/20/2014, 5:19 PM
The R11 unfaced insulation that surrounded can lights will also be buried, atop loose fill.
p 12 of 89
Attic Walls Insulation With Plywood Covering February, June, 2014
IMG_3844 2/20/2014, 5:19 PM
Note that wires are not drilled through truss bottom elements, but are draped along those elements, with many staples. I believe staples have value only at a termination, and pull the staples to ease lacing under of batts.
p 13 of 89
Attic Walls Insulation With Plywood Covering February, June, 2014
IMG_3845 2/20/2014, 5:19 PM
I reached into loose fill here to test value over the cathedral ceiling. Find graininess, a sense of voids, even where a deposit was not in lee of some structure. Find complete voids under structure such as topping 2x4 stabilizers against joist twist.
p 14 of 89
Attic Walls Insulation With Plywood Covering February, June, 2014
IMG_3846 2/20/2014, 5:19 PM
Least insulation over the cathedral is between a row of batts at bottom, and a knee wall in trusses.
p 15 of 89
Attic Walls Insulation With Plywood Covering February, June, 2014
IMG_3847 2/20/2014, 5:19 PM
I judge 5” depth back there, R11, over large area.
p 16 of 89
Attic Walls Insulation With Plywood Covering February, June, 2014
IMG_3900 2/25/2014, 10:58 AM
A first covering of attic walls with unfaced R15, was easy, but not durable. Begin to lay a covering support grid of 2x3 at 16” on center.
p 17 of 89
Attic Walls Insulation With Plywood Covering February, June, 2014
IMG_3901 2/25/2014, 11:03 AM
The spacer is set for 14 1/2”. Each new 2x3 length is drilled and tapped 1” deep at each crossing. Set 3 1/2” deck screws locking each crossing at 16” oc.
p 18 of 89
Attic Walls Insulation With Plywood Covering February, June, 2014
IMG_3902 2/25/2014, 2:52 PM
I should have started by setting the RH vertical here, and not allowing the deck might interrupt outer hard covering. All of this 2x3 structure will be reset, 1 1/2” lower, and more-complete with fewer pieces.
p 19 of 89
Attic Walls Insulation With Plywood Covering February, June, 2014
IMG_3903 2/25/2014, 3:39 PM
This North-facing structure won’t be affected by corner refinement.
p 20 of 89
Attic Walls Insulation With Plywood Covering February, June, 2014
IMG_3904 2/25/2014, 3:39 PM
Most of my work is done dancing on joists.
p 21 of 89
Attic Walls Insulation With Plywood Covering February, June, 2014
IMG_3905 2/25/2014, 4:05 PM
Insulation over a cathedral bump-out of the kitchen is useless too. Just stapled in spots, never intimate with drywall.
p 22 of 89
Attic Walls Insulation With Plywood Covering February, June, 2014
IMG_3906 2/25/2014, 4:08 PM
There are some fine spider webs on the drywall.
p 23 of 89
Attic Walls Insulation With Plywood Covering February, June, 2014
IMG_3907 2/25/2014, 4:20 PM
The wall is not more-exposed with insulation down.
p 24 of 89
Attic Walls Insulation With Plywood Covering February, June, 2014
IMG_3908 2/25/2014, 4:21 PM
Now, how do we stick insulation on this wall?
p 25 of 89
Attic Walls Insulation With Plywood Covering February, June, 2014
IMG_3909 2/26/2014, 9:33 AM
Strip the remaining wall over the living room, again without thermal consequence.
p 26 of 89
Attic Walls Insulation With Plywood Covering February, June, 2014
IMG_3910 2/26/2014, 10:59 AM
On the day before, I decided to frame 6” pockets here. The 6” rips are 1/4” mahogany plywood underlayment. Rips are screwed to on-flat wall 2x4. Build nailer frames of 2x3.
p 27 of 89
Attic Walls Insulation With Plywood Covering February, June, 2014
IMG_3912 2/26/2014, 11:00 AM
Pockets can not be airtight.
p 28 of 89
Attic Walls Insulation With Plywood Covering February, June, 2014
IMG_3913 2/26/2014, 11:00 AM
6” rips of 1/4” plywood hold 2x3 nailers for 3/8” plywood that will cover attic wall insulation.
p 29 of 89
Attic Walls Insulation With Plywood Covering February, June, 2014
IMG_3915 2/26/2014, 11:01 AM
Examining the 24” wall at RH of the previous photo, without benefit of the view finder.
p 30 of 89
Attic Walls Insulation With Plywood Covering February, June, 2014
IMG_3916 2/26/2014, 11:01 AM
The bumpout overhead insulation does seem to be intimate with drywall, and about R30.
p 31 of 89
Attic Walls Insulation With Plywood Covering February, June, 2014
IMG_3917 2/26/2014, 11:18 AM
I am using parted R15, about R7, and R25, for the R30 total, barely overfilling 6” pockets.
p 32 of 89
Attic Walls Insulation With Plywood Covering February, June, 2014
IMG_3918 2/26/2014, 11:47 AM
Plan on at least 10% compression of pillowed insulation by hard covering.
p 33 of 89
Attic Walls Insulation With Plywood Covering February, June, 2014
IMG_3919 2/26/2014, 1:18 PM
This is the first hard-covering of R30 in this job, working with 3/8” OSB in 24” rips.
p 34 of 89
Attic Walls Insulation With Plywood Covering February, June, 2014
IMG_3920 2/26/2014, 4:00 PM
p 35 of 89
Attic Walls Insulation With Plywood Covering February, June, 2014
IMG_3921 2/26/2014, 4:09 PM
OSB cutting is behind the attic ladder.
p 36 of 89
Attic Walls Insulation With Plywood Covering February, June, 2014
IMG_3922 2/26/2014, 6:27 PM
p 37 of 89
Attic Walls Insulation With Plywood Covering February, June, 2014
IMG_3923 2/26/2014, 6:28 PM
p 38 of 89
Attic Walls Insulation With Plywood Covering February, June, 2014
IMG_3924 2/27/2014, 9:47 AM
Batts need to be cut on-scene. Work from 41” OSB cuts planned for covering. 41” is remnant from 55” cuts for the first rectangular wall.
p 39 of 89
Attic Walls Insulation With Plywood Covering February, June, 2014
IMG_3926 2/27/2014, 9:48 AM
p 40 of 89
Attic Walls Insulation With Plywood Covering February, June, 2014
IMG_3927 2/27/2014, 1:17 PM
p 41 of 89
Attic Walls Insulation With Plywood Covering February, June, 2014
IMG_3928 2/27/2014, 1:17 PM
p 42 of 89
Attic Walls Insulation With Plywood Covering February, June, 2014
IMG_3930 2/27/2014, 1:18 PM
Here I am a monkey on trusses much like the 1988 loose-fill installer. I have good light. I’m still wanting to see the light about value of the found insulation over this cathedral. I sense it is R10 on average, where 20% has R19 peak. Elsewhere R15 average except at voids. R2 over voids that cover some unknown fraction, F. 1/(R avg + 3) = F/5 + .2/22 + (.8-F)/18 If R2 voids exceed 10% of area, a rebate is justified. p 43 of 89
Attic Walls Insulation With Plywood Covering February, June, 2014
Each interfering truss element for installer position creates lee voids.
IMG_3931 2/27/2014, 1:20 PM
The loose-fill installer started with good R21 unfaced batt pieces 24” wide at bottom of each truss alley, set before drywall. Build-up of loose-fill was quite slow and with uncomfortable posture crawling trusses. He worked here for about one hour. He could have pulled R19 unfaced batts up each alley with greater ease and with better effect, in the same time. He got screwed. The builder pocketed one time half of what was paid for insulation material, say $60 for 400 sf. The home owner lost the pocketed money, and paid fuel cost for the difference of R19 and R10 each year: 2.4*400*(1/13- 1/22) = $30. Home owner loss $60 + 25*$30 = $810. Fuel is perhaps cheaper today as percentage of earnings. The cost is up there, at an outrageous level. Looking forward, if 400 sf at R10 is improved to R45, annually save: 2.4*400*(1/13- 1/48) = $54. Isn’t it time to face up to error in thinking with loose-fill? This IS the
Attic Walls Insulation With Plywood Covering February, June, 2014
IMG_3932 2/27/2014, 1:20 PM
I think an installer of loose-fill would aim and shoot, out here.
p 45 of 89
Attic Walls Insulation With Plywood Covering February, June, 2014
IMG_3933 2/27/2014, 1:22 PM
Clad walls will be R30. Here trial-fit 24x41 OSB. I only need to notch some corners, and will saw over a bucket, out here.
p 46 of 89
Attic Walls Insulation With Plywood Covering February, June, 2014
IMG_3934 2/27/2014, 6:29 PM
Here complete the R15 base layer with scrap R11 kraft, nearly using it up, and not yet having new R11.
p 47 of 89
Attic Walls Insulation With Plywood Covering February, June, 2014
IMG_3935 2/27/2014, 6:44 PM
The top-layer R25 unfaced batts conform to valleys over truss bottom elements.
p 48 of 89
Attic Walls Insulation With Plywood Covering February, June, 2014
IMG_3936 2/28/2014, 10:04 AM
Left to right: real insulation >R40, R15 with joist thermal shorts, crummy reality of loose-fill, R5.
p 49 of 89
Attic Walls Insulation With Plywood Covering February, June, 2014
IMG_3229 6/13/2014, 9:50 AM
The skylight of the master bathroom was in a no-go zone, never visited, at arrival to replace the bath fans. All fans were discharging high in the attic, near roof vents, through 3” flex ducts. Fans would be replaced, and properly ducted through the roof, because of observed mildew on attic stored items. We would find mildew on broadly distributed on roof sheathing over the master bathroom, and not associated with duct discharge. It seems the fans did little but make noise, and moisture rose wherever it could. Good fans, ducted through the roof and used diligently, will control the mold. This field of loose fill will get well-trampled when visited to bleach-spray the mold on the roof sheathing. Now only R10 on average due to lee voids, value will drop another twenty percent. Yet, policy in Oregon is that this fragile and unhealthy setting should not be disturbed for weatherization. No incentives are offered.
p 50 of 89
Attic Walls Insulation With Plywood Covering February, June, 2014
IMG_3230 6/13/2014, 9:51 AM
As I begin the fans replacement, I am happy to get a peek at the skylight shaft insulation, knowing it is ineffective.
p 51 of 89
Attic Walls Insulation With Plywood Covering February, June, 2014
IMG_3263 6/13/2014, 7:59 PM
Master bath fan, done. I did not reset insulation, because I would bid completion of the attic insulation. In fact, only completion of attic walls insulation (this skylight) was accepted as contract.
p 52 of 89
Attic Walls Insulation With Plywood Covering February, June, 2014
IMG_3264 6/16/2014, 10:52 AM
We have agreed to only replace the skylight insulation. The cost is modest, and a rebate may then be sought for attic wall insulation. The message of “society” is from our handler of a 3% tax we pay upon utility bills, and is respected. The handler works for us and employs staff with our funds, to do right things through professional erudition. Our handler, and such businesses throughout the USA, poorly guide the work at hand. “Attic wall insulation” is my own set of words. “Walls” and “knee walls” have the same rebates, $0.30 per sf. Choose knee walls but know there are no bounds on thickness, and a better rule, R30 I suggest, is needed. Here, I will go to R38, with confining plywood shell. Begin with a temporary walkway upon new permanent deck braces. I put up with dancing on slanted truss elements for the fan replacement. Here I will make very many trips, with both arms encumbered, and must not step through a ceiling.
p 53 of 89
Attic Walls Insulation With Plywood Covering February, June, 2014
IMG_3265 6/16/2014, 10:52 AM
I have made this an accessible, well-lighted attic. The easily-reached upper deck can be a wood shop.
p 54 of 89
Attic Walls Insulation With Plywood Covering February, June, 2014
IMG_3266 6/16/2014, 10:53 AM
The work area will not be raised above insulation. Drop a 32”x48”x1/2” deck step-off, a first new churn of the loose-fill.
p 55 of 89
Attic Walls Insulation With Plywood Covering February, June, 2014
IMG_3267 6/16/2014, 10:56 AM
Mow out the loose-fill, by hand-tossing.
p 56 of 89
Attic Walls Insulation With Plywood Covering February, June, 2014
IMG_3268 6/16/2014, 11:01 AM
There is very little insulation contact with drywall, and negligible value.
p 57 of 89
Attic Walls Insulation With Plywood Covering February, June, 2014
IMG_3269 6/16/2014, 11:01 AM
The front face is littered by insects. It has been a nice winter home. This is the classic worst-case installation where staples through kraft flanges were set to insides of framing, not faces.
p 58 of 89
Attic Walls Insulation With Plywood Covering February, June, 2014
IMG_3270 6/16/2014, 11:08 AM
These three bays, out to the vent pipes, will be fully insulated with batts. A 5 1/2” crown of the skylight will remain poorly insulated in framing.
p 59 of 89
Attic Walls Insulation With Plywood Covering February, June, 2014
IMG_3271 6/16/2014, 11:08 AM
Loose fill was bonded by moisture, to the drywall over the shower. It seems most moisture in the attic has migrated through drywall of the skylight and its adjacent bays. Note a remnant of kraft facing showing this triangle only had facing pinched for somewhat-intimate contact. Yet, facing always is less effective than unfaced batts compressed against drywall.
p 60 of 89
Attic Walls Insulation With Plywood Covering February, June, 2014
IMG_3272 6/16/2014, 12:04 PM
I wonder about the skylight exterior wall. There is a small access for probing, at the arrow.
p 61 of 89
Attic Walls Insulation With Plywood Covering February, June, 2014
IMG_3272 6/16/2014, 12:04 PM
What is that yellow inside? A probe finds no resistance. I concluded there is no insulation, and will cut out in the bathroom to clean and insulate there. Cuts are easily reset, invisible, with all-around wood backing and flexible grout.
p 62 of 89
Attic Walls Insulation With Plywood Covering February, June, 2014
IMG_3273 6/16/2014, 12:04 PM
Poop, and very tiny but active, ants.
p 63 of 89
Attic Walls Insulation With Plywood Covering February, June, 2014
IMG_3274 6/16/2014, 12:18 PM
I am able to vacuum the bug litter, and hopefully the ants, or whatever they are.
p 64 of 89
Attic Walls Insulation With Plywood Covering February, June, 2014
IMG_3275 6/17/2014, 3:43 PM
I have completed the insulation support framing, in committed Day Two afternoon action. Now I can set insulation.
p 65 of 89
Attic Walls Insulation With Plywood Covering February, June, 2014
IMG_3276 6/17/2014, 3:44 PM
Insulation thickness provided with compression in cavities will be 7”. On front face, brace in 2x4s that are bridged by a plywood cap.
p 66 of 89
Attic Walls Insulation With Plywood Covering February, June, 2014
IMG_3277 6/17/2014, 3:44 PM
The lid of the front cavity has 2x2 nailers that will butt against side frame 2x2, here the green end. Side frames have a 6” width of 1/2” plywood and two 2x2s.
p 67 of 89
Attic Walls Insulation With Plywood Covering February, June, 2014
IMG_3278 6/17/2014, 4:09 PM
I have stripped the kraft facing from found insulation and will set it to fill the 1 1/2” depth of side on-flat 2x4. Kraft facing is harmful, in generally preventing intimate contact against drywall.
p 68 of 89
Attic Walls Insulation With Plywood Covering February, June, 2014
IMG_3279 6/17/2014, 4:19 PM
There are two layers of yellow batts on the front face. All found insulation is reset.
p 69 of 89
Attic Walls Insulation With Plywood Covering February, June, 2014
IMG_3280 6/17/2014, 4:35 PM
An R25 batt 60” length went this far, with equal coverage on the sides.
p 70 of 89
Attic Walls Insulation With Plywood Covering February, June, 2014
IMG_3281 6/17/2014, 5:21 PM
I will consume most of a full bag of R15/15” width, six of seven batts in the bag, 58 sf, in completing floor and skylight insulation. Space not set with R25 is filled with two layers of R15. Add a full R15 layer on each side. R38? Sure!. I just want space “pillowed” before covering.
p 71 of 89
Attic Walls Insulation With Plywood Covering February, June, 2014
IMG_3282 6/17/2014, 5:25 PM
The covering is strong 3/8” plywood.
p 72 of 89
Attic Walls Insulation With Plywood Covering February, June, 2014
IMG_3283 6/17/2014, 5:44 PM
This is the first layer of R15 on the floor in this corner.
p 73 of 89
Attic Walls Insulation With Plywood Covering February, June, 2014
IMG_3284 6/17/2014, 6:00 PM
Done except for a third layer in the bays adjacent the skylight. R30 there is better than loose fill
p 74 of 89
Attic Walls Insulation With Plywood Covering February, June, 2014
IMG_3285 6/17/2014, 6:00 PM
p 75 of 89
Attic Walls Insulation With Plywood Covering February, June, 2014
IMG_3286 6/17/2014, 6:01 PM
Is this what a skylight should look like, from the attic? Do know skylight shaft area near roof sheathing is still not insulated. I could stuff some in above the plywood. Should I? I won’t, protesting that skylights in shafts are not windows, a bit inefficient and weird now. I will prefer LED lighting.
p 76 of 89
Attic Walls Insulation With Plywood Covering February, June, 2014
IMG_3287 6/17/2014, 7:35 PM
The bridge over trusses is left without decking, I have planned that 5/8” plywood will be ripped to widths 18 3/4”, 29 1/4”, butted to join again along the row of truss uprights, quick work in a lighted attic with decking, where I catch all sawdust and scrap. An attic is not a trash heap. This one is still a bit hostile.
p 77 of 89
Attic Walls Insulation With Plywood Covering February, June, 2014
IMG_0151 6/18/2014, 1:06 PM
This skylight well outer wall is believed to be uninsulated. Insulation may only be inserted by cutting out drywall.
p 78 of 89
Attic Walls Insulation With Plywood Covering February, June, 2014
IMG_0152 6/18/2014, 1:23 PM
The cut finds two useless batt segments. The yellow seen at RHS from the attic was this insulation. I felt some resistance too, with my hand saw.
p 79 of 89
Attic Walls Insulation With Plywood Covering February, June, 2014
IMG_0154 6/18/2014, 1:28 PM
These are perhaps R13 kraft, not labeled. They had no insulating value where no air circulation on drywall was stilled.
p 80 of 89
Attic Walls Insulation With Plywood Covering February, June, 2014
IMG_0155 6/18/2014, 1:28 PM
There is much less mildew on plywood roof sheathing than I expected. I do find little crawlers, confirmed as ant hatchlings.
p 81 of 89
Attic Walls Insulation With Plywood Covering February, June, 2014
IMG_0156 6/18/2014, 1:35 PM
The mildew here progresses to the right, and is stronger beyond the skylight. Blooms are a mystery to me, perhaps related to some spotty nutrient.
p 82 of 89
Attic Walls Insulation With Plywood Covering February, June, 2014
IMG_0157 6/18/2014, 1:36 PM
Looking up in the cut after vacuuming, find little mildew.
p 83 of 89
Attic Walls Insulation With Plywood Covering February, June, 2014
IMG_0160 6/18/2014, 1:56 PM
The cavity is much bigger at bottom where more than two layers of unfaced R15 will fit. Push out to sheathing as insulation is loaded.
p 84 of 89
Attic Walls Insulation With Plywood Covering February, June, 2014
IMG_0161 6/18/2014, 2:05 PM
All found batts, stripped of facing, are stuffed in this well-spread gob of two to four layers. The flimsy yellow batts have inconsequential volume. Ready to close the hole.
p 85 of 89
Attic Walls Insulation With Plywood Covering February, June, 2014
IMG_0163 6/18/2014, 2:19 PM
Back the hole all around with 4” rips of 1/2” plywood. Engage the drywall with #6x1” screws.
p 86 of 89
Attic Walls Insulation With Plywood Covering February, June, 2014
IMG_0164 6/18/2014, 2:47 PM
Razor off all broken paper and texture of corners. Vee at least 3/32” all around.
p 87 of 89
Attic Walls Insulation With Plywood Covering February, June, 2014
IMG_0165 6/18/2014, 3:25 PM
I have made about four passes with flexible grout, scraping and sponging as I go to avoid muddying the surrounding texture. I might achieve a paintable texture match over grooves and screws in one more pass, with wet sponge dabbing and trowel work. I will lightly spray texture if I must, to achieve an invisible patch. This becomes quite strong and permanent with no taping, as strong as parent drywall.
p 88 of 89
Attic Walls Insulation With Plywood Covering February, June, 2014
Here is acollage of photos for the insulation of the skylight back wall.
p 89 of 89
