I'm dealing with some heat loss in my semi-detached home, likely due to my neighbor's insufficient insulation. The gutters are currently icicles, which makes me think I might be facing ice dams. I recently insulated my side with some fluffy material, but it looks like my neighbor's side is lagging behind by about 6 inches. If I put up a vapor barrier in the attic, will that help keep my side from being heated by the neighbor's hotter air? I get that it won't be a miracle fix, but could it help vent heat out his side instead of letting it come through the whole roof? I've already sealed light fixtures and the attic access, but my neighbor isn't willing to invest in better insulation. Am I wasting my time with this idea?
1 Answer
Not a great idea, honestly. Attics are designed to manage moisture, and putting up a vapor barrier without knowing what you’re doing could just lead to mold and other problems. The bigger issue with ice dams usually relates more to proper insulation and ventilation rather than just heat transfer from one side. You might want to look into proper attic insulation methods based on your climate.
But isn’t he dealing with a shared attic space? Maybe a barrier would at least slow the hot air transfer?