Insulating Attic As Conditioned Space

Making the attic a conditioned space taking the building envelope to the roof is a good approach and will save energy another approach is to use radiant coated deck sheathing seal all ceiling attic penetrations and blow in r 60 insulation as it will cost less than spray foam and should give at least the same energy efficiency to the home.

Insulating attic as conditioned space.

Minimize thermal bridging and reduce heat loss through the foundation protect the damp proof coating from damage during backfilling provide some protection against moisture intrusion make the. In new construction adding insulation on the exterior of the basement walls will do the following. You can use rigid foam panels or do as tom silva does with nearly all houses these days. Hire a pro to install spray foam insulation.

The attic space becomes indirectly conditioned as a result of the air leakage heat transfer and vapor diffusion through the ceiling. To provide an unvented conditioned space for locating hvac equipment in the attic and or to provide a continuous thermal barrier for designs that have complex coffered ceiling planes and or numerous penetrations for lights speakers vents soffits etc which make it difficult to achieve an airtight ceiling plane. However in a traditionally insulated attic insulation on the ceiling the attic is vented. Yes using spray foam we have added your attic to the conditioned space.

If you re considering turning your attic into conditioned storage or living space it s worth changing tactics to insulate between the rafters and wall joists instead of the floor. When hvac equipment is in the attic insulation and an air barrier at the roof line brings that equipment within the conditioned enclosure envelope thereby allowing it to operate in more favorable temperature and humidity conditions without air leakage and heat loss gain directly to the exterior. In an unvented attic assembly air impermeable insulation is applied directly to the underside of the structural roof deck and is tied into the insulation located in the walls so that the roof system becomes part of the insulated building enclosure. When we seal the attic with spray foam it s as tight as a butter tub.

When spray foam is installed on the underside of the roof deck the attic space is insulated from heat that otherwise would be entering the attic.