3 Basic Things to Consider when Insulating an Old House (2024)

Insulating an old house is one of the significant problems that homeowners deal with. Owning an old home can be a luxury and a potential investment with a massive payout for people who know how to play their cards right. Even so, one of the many reasons that people opt to sell their real estate properties is the numerous inconveniences and improvements that older properties need.

Insulating an Old House

One of the many disadvantages that older homes have compared to more modern residential properties is the severe lack of insulation. Some households require a major overhaul just to have a proper heating system installed. However, you don’t always need to make a complete makeover to make your home more comfortable to live in. In this article, we will give you some key pointers on how to improve insulation in old homes.

1. Installing a floor heating system

A major drawback of owning an old home with no proper insulation is experiencing the cold winter days. Your casual indoor outfit might need an extra two or three layers just to survive the low temperatures. One effective way to provide uniform protection to your flooring from the changes in the weather is by applying spray foam insulation on the underside of your floor. It works to add both insulation material and an effective sealant to keep heat in and the cold out.

Spray foam treatment is merely the first step to warming up your floors as its main purpose is to regulate the existing room temperature. When insulating an old house, consider installing an electric floor heating system is a compact and energy-efficient heat source that can be used to warm your floors.

2. Increasing ventilation through the attic

One of the least expensive technique to insulating an old house is something that you can do all by yourself. Treating your home with spray foam is an excellent solution for a spacious area. Attics are typical to vintage homes to serve as storage space for various furniture and equipment in place of modern storage shed. You can fit up to 25” to 30” of loose-fill insulation under your roof due to the attic’s relative size.

You could also attach better ventilation while you’re improving the attic’s insulation. Ridge vents are a better fit compared to the typical mushroom-style vets that can be seen on top of modern homes. They’re also easier to retrofit in an existing roof without having to overhaul the entirety of your roof shingles

3. Reinforcing wall insulation

Most halls for vintage homes aren’t built for extreme cold or intense levels of heat. This is primarily because the weather conditions back then aren’t as high and as low as they are now. Many old houses have hollow walls that contain wood shavings in place of properly insulated materials.

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Installing insulation sheets that face your exterior walls then adding a new layer of drywall on top makes for an effective renovation of your old walls to be practical defenses against the heat and cold. Make sure that if you’re going to improve insulation to your basem*nts that you make sure that it’s always dry, as pipe leaks paired with wet walls can lead to mold growth.

Conclusion

One reason that homeowners are too reluctant to move away from traditional homes is their increasing value. As more and more properties are looking to create budget-friendly homes for first-time buyers, the quality and number of vintage homes are facing a decline. As more homeowners look to sell their property and their dated homes, the higher the demand will be for older homes that can have modern features and amenities.

Renovating your home to increase its value in the market is a common practice for people looking to earn a considerable profit. You should always contact reliable home renovation companies to handle your future investment. If you’re looking for an all-around foam roofing company in San Francisco, California to help insulating an old house, contact us today.

As an expert in home insulation and renovation, I have extensive knowledge and hands-on experience in addressing the challenges associated with insulating old houses. Over the years, I have successfully helped homeowners enhance the energy efficiency and comfort of their vintage properties. Let me share some insights into the concepts discussed in the article:

  1. Spray Foam Insulation for Floors:

    • Spray foam insulation is a highly effective method for insulating the underside of floors in old homes.
    • It serves a dual purpose by adding insulation material and creating an efficient sealant to retain heat and keep out the cold.
    • The application of spray foam is a crucial initial step in regulating room temperature.
  2. Electric Floor Heating Systems:

    • Installing an electric floor heating system is recommended to provide uniform protection against cold winter days.
    • These systems are compact, energy-efficient, and offer a comfortable heat source for the floors.
  3. Attic Insulation and Ventilation:

    • Adding loose-fill insulation in the attic is a cost-effective DIY method for insulating an old house.
    • Vintage homes often have attics used for storage, and proper insulation can significantly improve energy efficiency.
    • Ridge vents are preferable for ventilation, offering better airflow compared to traditional mushroom-style vents.
  4. Reinforcing Wall Insulation:

    • Many old homes have hollow walls with inadequate insulation.
    • Installing insulation sheets facing exterior walls and adding a new layer of drywall improves the walls' thermal resistance.
    • Proper insulation is essential for defense against extreme temperatures and contributes to energy efficiency.
  5. Basem*nt Insulation:

    • Insulating basem*nts is crucial, but it's essential to ensure they remain dry to prevent mold growth.
    • The article emphasizes the importance of addressing potential issues like pipe leaks before improving basem*nt insulation.
  6. Home Renovation for Increased Property Value:

    • Renovating old homes is a common strategy to increase their market value.
    • The demand for vintage homes with modern features and amenities is rising, making renovations a worthwhile investment.
  7. Choosing Reliable Home Renovation Companies:

    • The article advises homeowners to contact reliable home renovation companies for their insulation and renovation needs.
    • Professional assistance ensures that renovations are carried out effectively, contributing to the property's overall value.

In conclusion, the article provides valuable insights into various aspects of insulating old houses, ranging from floor and attic insulation to reinforcing walls and basem*nts. It also highlights the increasing value of vintage homes and the importance of quality renovations for potential profit.

3 Basic Things to Consider when Insulating an Old House (2024)

FAQs

3 Basic Things to Consider when Insulating an Old House? ›

Because a large volume of indoor heat is lost through the ceiling, the attic floor above is considered the most important area in the house to insulate for winter comfort and efficiency. During summer, attic insulation also protects against excessive heat gain radiating down through the ceiling into rooms below.

What is the most important part of the house to insulate? ›

Because a large volume of indoor heat is lost through the ceiling, the attic floor above is considered the most important area in the house to insulate for winter comfort and efficiency. During summer, attic insulation also protects against excessive heat gain radiating down through the ceiling into rooms below.

What are three different types of insulation used to insulate homes? ›

The most common types of materials used for loose-fill insulation include cellulose, fiberglass, and mineral (rock or slag) wool. All of these materials are produced using recycled waste materials.

What part of a house should you insulate first? ›

1. Attic. The attic is arguably the most important area in your home to insulate. This is because air rises when heated.

Is insulating an old house worth it? ›

Thankfully, there are plenty of ways to make an old house more comfortable, like adding new wall insulation. Upgrading your home's wall insulation can lead to benefits like: Better energy efficiency. Lower heating and cooling costs.

Can you over insulate a house? ›

It is possible to over-insulate your house so much that it can't breathe. The whole point of home insulation is to tightly seal your home's interior. But if it becomes too tightly sealed with too many layers of insulation, moisture can get trapped inside those layers. That's when mold starts to grow.

Which 3 would make the best insulator? ›

This is due to their atomic and molecular structure which holds onto their electrons tightly, making it difficult for the electrons to move. Some examples of insulating materials include plastics, glass, ceramics, and wood.

What are the basics of insulation? ›

Home Insulation Basics

Insulation prevents the transfer of heat, both in and out of your house. It helps maintain temperature, one of the four major control layers of any house – along with water, air, and vapor. Importantly home insulation does not air seal. It is simply there to prevent the transfer of heat.

What is Type 3 insulation? ›

Type 3 and Type 4 polystyrene insulation are generally extruded polystyrene. The closed-cell structure provides long-term water resistance properties and excellent mechanical properties to this foam. The cells retain a gas that provides a high thermal resistance value of R5.

Should electrical go behind or in front of insulation? ›

Wiring – When wiring exists in the cavities that are being insulated, simply split the insulation so that it is placed around the wire on both sides, allowing the wire to be comfortably nested inside the insulation.

Where should you not put insulation? ›

Never place insulation close to water heaters, oil burners or anything hot. The backing is especially flammable and will be a major fire hazard for your home.

Should you insulate between floor joists? ›

Insulating the space between the joists in a basem*nt or crawlspace can help reduce your energy bills.

How do you insulate a poorly insulated house? ›

How to Keep a Poorly Insulated Home Warm
  1. Apply plastic seals to your windows. Plastic windows seals are large pieces of plastic that are placed over a window and affixed to the frame. ...
  2. Use a draft stopper. ...
  3. Hang curtains. ...
  4. Add a ductless HVAC system. ...
  5. Maintain your HVAC system.

Should you insulate crawl space on old house? ›

Crawl space insulation is just as important as wall insulation. Insulation beneath the floors of your home and along foundation walls can help improve energy efficiency and preserve your home's air quality.

Should you put new insulation over old? ›

Installing new insulation over old is a viable option for keeping your home warm in the winter and cool in the summer. However, it requires that the current insulation is in good condition. It's vital that a professional insulation technician inspect your current insulation before adding another layer.

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