So I have a mid century two dormered cape cod with 2 x 4 wood construction...

[LaydeeBug]

Last edited Wed Feb 10, 2016, 02:34 PM - Edit history (1)

I am looking to insulate, and wanted to know what the best case scenario could be regarding R factors. I don't want to rip out my walls, so it looks like blow foam might be the way to go.

Advice?

[Hassin Bin Sober]

1. I would say dense pack blown in cellulose.

I was just having this discussion with a spray foam guy that was doing some work on our building storage rooms.

We were discussing options for my mother in law's house which sounds like yours.

From what I gathered, injecting foam is more trouble than it's worth. He said walls buckling and bulging is an issue. He said if you really want foam, which is the best, you are better off stripping the walls.

I've done blown cellulose in a couple ceiling crawl spaces in 100 year old 6 flats. Once in our building and once for a customer. The results were great. These were crawl spaces with limited access but still better access than your walls.

For my MIL, we are considering cutting a channel in the inside drywall walls up high near the ceilings on outside walls. She has exterior face brick so going from the outside isn't feasible.

[LaydeeBug]

2. I have aluminim siding, so it wouldn't be impossible to go from the outside

and my upstairs is unfinished and old, with plenty of easy access for blown in. Also, I am feeling kinda like it a scrappy, not impossible DIY job. (We'll see) I just want to make sure my footprint is as small as possible, and that means making sure everything is updated. This process is much slower than I ever anticipated.

[NMDemDist2]

3. i did blow in cellulose in California

no problems but a different climate

[LaydeeBug]

4. A friend of mine told me because of 2 x 4 construction (as opposed to the newer 2 x 6)

that the best R factor I could hope for would be around R 20. I was kind of hoping to do better.

[greymouse]

5. attic floor

Having insulation blown in on the (unfinished) attic floor was a significant win in my first house. Cold areas in the house disappeared.

[LiberalEsto]

6. Can your local utility company do an energy audit?

Energy audits can give you recommendations on multiple ways to reduce energy use.