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We bought a house that was built in the early 50's last year. Last fall we replaced all 20 windows with new energy efficient ones. This year we were going to get insulation blown in, but we are also planning on getting new siding, most likely the cement fiber board one, like Hardiplank. Any recommendations? We would like a non toxic material... Is it best to get insulation blown in, or added to the outside of the house, under the new siding, or is both necessary?
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First of all, I'm assuming that this house is all wood siding. If you have a brick veneer, there isn't a whole lot you can do on that wall.
If you have access to the stud space when you remove the siding I would go ahead and insulate, but I seriously doubt that will happen. More than likely you will pull the siding off and see the old tar paper wrapped gypsum board (looks sort of like drywall). If that is the case then blowing insulation into the wall cavities could very well prove to be a waste. It will settle and slump over time and leave you more or less where you started only without the money and it will make you totally miserable if you ever want to re-wire an outside wall. You will probably get the best result by installing a layer of .25" foil-wrapped foam (same stuff that is attached to the underside of roof decking as a radiant barrier), then a layer of Tyvek or tar paper before installing the hardi. It will dramatically reduce infiltration (which is good and bad for old houses) and generally gets very satisfactory results as far as holding heat and cold is concerned. Someone may know better than I do, but I would be surprised if that wasn't the best fix.
I'm guessing by your other posts you're in CO.
If the house was built in the '50's and in Colorado- I'd be willing to bet that there probably is insulation in the walls- I didn't say it was good. Just there.
If it was I- I'd get it foamed (and if you want to keep as non-toxic as possible, find someone who does the vegetable oil based spray foam insulation).
I'm not sure what Jimbo was talking about but, when that old siding comes off I bet you find tar paper over rough cut 1X nailed on a diagonal for sheathing.
And the spray foam will eliminate the need for a vapor barrier (Tyvek).
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Quote:
Originally Posted by K'ledgeBldr
I'm guessing by your other posts you're in CO.
If the house was built in the '50's and in Colorado- I'd be willing to bet that there probably is insulation in the walls- I didn't say it was good. Just there.
If it was I- I'd get it foamed (and if you want to keep as non-toxic as possible, find someone who does the vegetable oil based spray foam insulation).
I'm not sure what Jimbo was talking about but, when that old siding comes off I bet you find tar paper over rough cut 1X nailed on a diagonal for sheathing.
And the spray foam will eliminate the need for a vapor barrier (Tyvek).
You're right. I forgot a step. What I've seen is removing the 1X4 sheathing and replacing it with 3/8" or 1/2" OSB, then the .25" radiant barrier foam, then the vapor barrier, then the hardi. It would probably be cheaper than a spray-foam treatment and you can use really cheap labor (like the homeowner).
EDIT: For example, materials purchased at your local Home Depot for a 2000 sq. ft. ranch house would be roughly $900 (before the Hardiplank) if using Tyvek and a good bit less if using tar paper. I'm not an expert on spray foam treatments, but I doubt they run that light.
That "gypsum board" may be a regional component, but it was commonly used as a vapor barrier at that time in my neck of the woods.
Last edited by jimboburnsy; 04-14-2009 at 02:16 PM..
I'm guessing by your other posts you're in CO.
If the house was built in the '50's and in Colorado- I'd be willing to bet that there probably is insulation in the walls- I didn't say it was good. Just there.
If it was I- I'd get it foamed (and if you want to keep as non-toxic as possible, find someone who does the vegetable oil based spray foam insulation).
I'm not sure what Jimbo was talking about but, when that old siding comes off I bet you find tar paper over rough cut 1X nailed on a diagonal for sheathing.
And the spray foam will eliminate the need for a vapor barrier (Tyvek).
Actually I am in MA, but I am a moderator for the Colorado forums. With our long, cold winters we need all the insulation we can get
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The price of anything is the amount of life you exchange for it. ~Henry David Thoreau
You can get help in the new bill for making your home green. Have you looked into foaming the cavities and attic?
Good point, I am thinking this is a good time to get this done to take advantage of the tax credit, since we were planning on doing it anyway, might as well do it this year, instead of next
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The price of anything is the amount of life you exchange for it. ~Henry David Thoreau
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