I'm about to transform my walk-out attic space, located directly above my garage, into a livable area. My main concern is how to properly insulate the roof. My father, a former remodeling contractor, insists that I need to install baffles beneath the roof decking for airflow. I see his point, but my house, built in 1949, lacks soffits or soffit vents, which makes me think there won't be any airflow from the unconditioned space behind the knee walls to the ridge. I'm considering going for an 'unvented attic' with closed cell spray foam for maximum R-value and vapor barrier. Does this sound like the right approach? I've included some pictures as well, though I'm still figuring out how to use Imgur correctly: https://imgur.com/a/XGidI8L.
1 Answer
I totally get where you're coming from! I went through this too when converting my attic. While your dad's advice about baffles makes sense, you've got a point about the soffit vents. If they're not there, trying to create airflow just complicates things. I also chose closed cell spray foam because it's excellent for insulation and acts as a vapor barrier, plus you don’t have to worry about venting. It's a bit pricier, but it pays off in the long run with energy savings. Just ensure the spray foam is applied by a pro! I’ve learned that some DIY projects should be left to the experts.
Thanks for the insights! I'm all about DIY, but I don't want to bite off more than I can chew. Do you think tackling the spray foam myself is a recipe for disaster or not worth the effort?