Insulating From Outside

Quinn

Any recommendations on insulating from outside? I'm installing new siding and while Im at it ,since I only have 2x4 walls, thought I would try and improve the heat bill. Ive considered P2000, bubble wrap, and just regular 5/8 foam sheets. This is on my own home. I have never done anything like this for a customer, so I have never really researched it before.

strathd

p 2000 insulation

There's a lot of controversy going on about p2000. I was going to use it on a job but changed my mind.

Chris Johnson

Wrap the house with 1 1/2" EPS Ship Lap. It's a bit of work to modify the windows and doors but definately an improvement. Make sure you seal really good at the foundation.

__________________
Chris

B.K

Wrap the outside wall in some extruded polystyrene, tape all joints. Strap and Side it.

If that isn't enough, you can always go to the inside, take the drywall down, strap the walls horzontially over the existing vapour barrier, and insulate the cavity's, then drywall over that. Just remember by code (this is Canadian of course) its all about 3rd's. 2/3 of the wall insulated and vapour barriered, 1/3 can be insulated in front of the vapour barrier.

Should up the R-Value for ya.

-Bill

__________________
You laugh because I'm different...........
I laugh cause I just farted!

SLSTech

What is in the walls now? If there empty, I would look into blown in celluse or slow expanding foam. If the sheathing has to go, maybe strip out the old & see above.

__________________
Alabama Full Service Remodeling, Renovation, and Preservation by SLS Construction
Certified Energy Efficiency Audits, Ratings, Modeling, Verifications, & Consulting
Residential, Commercial, & Industrial Infrared Thermography Scans

Chris Johnson

I believe you meant Expanded PolyStyrene (EPS) not Extruded (XPS)

XPS will 'dry' and shrink leaving gaps between the sheets within a short time

__________________
Chris

WarriorWithWood

This JLC article should give you some ideas.

http://www.jlconline.com/cgi-bin/jlc.../View/0905inst

__________________
-Dennis
www.bowmanch.com

ScipioAfricanus

Excuse a dumb question but why not use R-13 glass?

Andy.

Quinn

the house was built in 1982. 2x4 walls with R13 insulation. However I did tear off the cellulose sheeting on 1 cavity and I guess the original builder just forgot to put insulate that one.

Quinn

Thanks, I remember seeing that article. I will have to dig that issue out.

B.K

Yes thank you, i always seem to get them mixed up.

Sorry about that.

__________________
You laugh because I'm different...........
I laugh cause I just farted!

Quinn

How about the bubble wrap? Would that help anything installed on the outside of the home?

zab

Use polyisocyanurate, more commonly known as foil backed board, or high R. this has a R value at installation of around 8 per inch when installed, and drops down to around 7 eventually.

if no insulation exists, I suggest having cellulose dense packed into the wall cavities.

before either of these, AIR SEAL.

Good luck