Do it Yourself: [DIY] Re: Outside Roof Insulation versus Inside Ceiling insulation project

06 February 2013

[DIY] Re: Outside Roof Insulation versus Inside Ceiling insulation project

HI Strat..thanks for the great analysis and ideas
you wrote..appreciate very much...I like all your options!
Question though on the the closed cell foam sheathing..

Is it walkable on? I wonder about the vertical strength
if applied over the exisiting roof> Wont it be pretty
compressible or am I looking at the wrong material?

Thanks,

Rich and Kate

--- In DoIt_Yourself@yahoogroups.com, "Strat" wrote:
>

> (c)
> Another option is applying another layer or two of rigid closed cell foam sheathing over existing roof, taping and staggering seams. This yields a very good result and very doable by DIY warriors.
> This is my most desirable and cost effective option.
>
>
> The other insulation materials like loose cellulose or fiberglass batting are not relevant to low pitch/flat roofs because there isn't adequate head-room to pack enough insulating material in to make an impact on R value.
>
> http://energy.gov/energysaver/articles/insulation-materials
>
> Good luck and we'll compare notes comes next Fall.
> -S-
>
>
>
> --- In DoIt_Yourself@yahoogroups.com, "mountain953346" wrote:
> >
> > We have 2000 sq ft roof that is composed of 1x8's over
> > 4x8 on 8ft centers, then asphalt roll and tar covering the 1x8's.
> >
> > That's it. There is no insulation and we are loosing most
> > of AC and heat through the roof.(It is a low-slope "flat" roof)
> >
> > We have computed the costs for doing a new inside the house drywall
> > ceiling dropped down 3 1/2" with r-15 fiberglass insulation
> > at about $1.25 a sq ft. minus labor..having done drywall
> > before we are confident to do the work although it seems
> > a lot more intensive than adding new roof...??
> >
> > Add roof approach is to add 2x4s on 16in centers on the roof
> > and put insulation there, then cover with 3/8" CDX and asphalt
> > roll roofing over that which is now on the existing roof
> > (maybe 25 year old roof now so could use a replacement)...
> > essentially making a new roof....we also have done DIY
> > in this area. Costs of materials about the same.
> >
> > It seems to me that the roof approach is way less labor
> > intensive than beaming the inside ceiling, juggling
> > even lightweight drywall, insulating and screwing and taping
> > and mudding the inside ceiling...
> >
> > I would be very interested in the DIY'ers thoughts on the
> > approaches to this project...or a new approach we have not
> > thought of to solve this upward massive energy drain. In the
> > summer the ceiling inside is a virtual radiator. We live
> > in San Diego away from coast 15 miles so it gets hot but
> > does cool off at night (semi-desert climate).
> >
> > Thanks in advance for any and all thoughts and ideas.
> >
> > Rich and Kate.
>