I live in an older house with minimal insulation. The exterior has Celotex sheathing and fiberboard siding, which I believe may contain asbestos, but I don't plan on removing it just yet. Inside, there is only thin wood paneling, likely from the 50s or 60s when this part of the house was added. It seems like they neglected to insulate the new walls properly, as I think they might have only insulated the older structures due to budget constraints. Whenever it gets cold, I can feel a draft across the floor, which I've struggled to identify for years.
I'm on a fixed income and want to tackle this project myself. My plan is to take down the paneling to install insulation. I'm considering sealing the edges with foam and using fiberglass batting, but I'm also curious about the effectiveness of spray foam insulation given the Celotex and age of the house. Should I also line the inside with plastic sheeting before the insulation? I'm worried this might trap moisture instead of allowing for breathability. I'm not too confident about doing drywall myself, so I'd probably hire someone for that part. Any advice on insulation or dealing with drafts would be incredibly helpful!
1 Answer
It sounds like you might be dealing with convection causing those drafts. A simple method is to use some incense to spot where the drafts are coming from. Just light it up and watch how the smoke behaves. I found drafts in my house this way—once it came from a window with a cold pane, and sealing it made all the difference! If you have any old windows, they might be contributing too. Good luck!
That's a great tip! I've tried the incense method a few times already. It swirls around the room, but I still can't pinpoint where all the drafts come from—my new doors are sealed well, but the old windows are still tricky.