ATTIC RAFTER INSULATION CRACK

In the second post, you saw the benefits of turning the attic into part of the вЂњconditioned spaceвЂќ of the house вЂ“ you can put ductwork up there without worrying you donвЂ™t have to sealing every little crack in the attic floor or the attic hatch you can store things up there without them baking in the summer and freezing in the winter. But if you are one of the fortunate ones who has an accessible attic, or maybe you are about to replace your roof, this construction can produce a really efficient and durable attic space. Or, theyвЂ™re filled with HVAC equipment and ducts, again, a real hassle to work around. Unfortunately, many attics are under low-pitch roofs which are a real pain to work in. Please note вЂ“ the proposed solution is not easy to implement in existing homes unless the attic is very accessible. Allowing quick drying is key to avoiding rot. So whatвЂ™s the solution? ItвЂ™s actually simple вЂ“ keep humid air away from cold surfaces and, in the eventuality that water does get in somehow, allow it to drain out and evaporate before it can do further damage. In other words, donвЂ™t blame me if you blindly follow what I write and subsequently have problems!

Consider this article my interpretation of the current building science literature and do your own research and consult other professionals before building your dream house. There are undoubtedly situations where this will not work. Keep in mind вЂ“ this is my opinion, based on current understanding of building science. So how do we solve all the problems at once? There are comfortable, efficient homes, but weвЂ™re increasingly seeing issues with mold and wood rot in these because some builders are neglecting to deal with the higher moisture levels. Is this an achievable goal? There are durable homes, as evidenced by those that havenвЂ™t rotted out over hundreds of years, but theyвЂ™re not comfortable or energy efficient. One that is durable and requires minimum maintenance. The goal is to create a comfortable, efficient and safe home. How do you know if youвЂ™ve got a problem? IвЂ™ll give you a hint вЂ“ if you have ice forming under your roof like in this picture, you had better do something before you have to replace your roof! Over time, this will lead to mold growth and potentially, rotten roofs. If you recall, the big problem is that moisture from the house rises up through the walls and all the little cracks around light fixtures, hatches, wiring, and the moisture condenses on cool surfaces. In the first two posts of this overly wordy series, we saw a few ways to insulate an attic while avoiding some of the worst problems that can lead to moldy, rotten attics and roofs.

Attic rafter insulation