CRAZY attic/room insulation problem.....

[Aunt_juju]

I own a home whose attic has been turned into a room...about 10 feet wide by the whole length of the house right in the top peak of the roof, creating 2 seperate attic areas- one on each side of the middle room. The home has a metal roof, and NO insulation whatsoever. We are already taking care of the perimeter of the walls, but we are at a loss for how to attack the attic room. I am looking for something that could maybe be on the easier side as I have been diagnosed with DJD and arthritis in my back and can't just do anything I want anymore. Does anyone know how good the paint add in is or perhaps the reflective foil barriers? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

[HayZee518]

if your ceilings are formed directly on the roof rafters, there's little that can be done. if part of your ceiling is flat then collar ties [ horizontal 2X4's have been used] to form the top of the ceiling and there may be access to the ceiling. by cutting in between the rafters and collar ties you may be able to stuff batt type insulation between some rafters. blowing in cellulose might be more practical. for the kneewalls kraft faced insulation may be in order.

[Aunt_juju]

Thanks, but the ceiling IS the roof. It is all the wood slats with the screws that hold the metal roof on sticking down even. We were thinking of making an actual ceilinig on the rafters with paneling or something, but all options are open right now.

[HayZee518]

if the rafters are exposed you can use kraft faced insulation directly to the rafters. if the sheetrock is already up then blow in insulation is the only way out now..... see my diagram.

[Drywall DIY Guy]

What climate are you in? If you get any winter at all, what can happen is that moisture will condense up in batting type insulation if it placed snug up to the roof, leading to rotting. In a home I bought, this happened to me. Better to snug in 2" or 2.5" insulating rigid foam in between rafters (leaving an air space between foam and roof boards) and then put 1" foil-faced sheet over the faces of the rafters. Tape all edges of the 1" sheet well so as to form a good moisture barrier and keep moisture from condensing on your roof boards. You may even want to put up a plastic vapor barrier over the 1" foam to be on the safe side. Then place drywall or other finish product over all of this fastening to the rafters driving extra long screws through the 1" foam .

[mrcaptainbob]

My son had a very similar situation. This past summer he had to have a ten year old roof stripped because the insulation was pressed to the sheathing underside. The shingles were overheated and curled. Sheathing was stripped, too, exposing the insulation beneath. Styrafoam air dams were installed as the new sheathing went up. This winter has proved out the benefit, as the snow up there no longer melts away as quick. It's anticipated that the coming summer will prove to be cooler in that attic space, too. Keep the insulation away from the roof deck. Air dam it first, then insulate, then finish over that.

[canoebuilder]

JuJu, I built a garage with an upstairs room with a similar situation with 4ft knee walls on each side and the long open space in the middle that will be heated as a guest room.
As HayZee stated at about 7 ft I put in "collar ties" to make a flat ceiling in the center.
I then put in what is known as "proper Vent" to insure air flow from the knee wall space to the top attic space.
Then put 6 inch insullation over all.
NOW, I can not stress enough the importance of getting air flow from the eves of you home to the very top of the roof.
I assume you have eve vents under the sofit of the home? Outside Air must be able to flow from this sofit to the top attic then out via either ridge vent or gable end vents.
This will prevent condensation and dry rot of rafters and insure that snow on the roof will slide off and not build up an ice dam in the winter and leaking into the house.
Gerry

[Allison1888]

Agree to be careful about venting -- don't want water build up. Here's a link that might help -- shows a diagram of insulation in a cathedral ceiling. Different situation, but the diagram is helpful.

Adding insulation to cathedral ceilings - Oldhouseweb.com