Insulating a Williamsburg, VA Attic

Challenge

A Williamsburg, VA homeowner contacted us with concerns about their attic insulation. Upon inspection, we found that several areas had been creating condensation, which had been causing mold growth on the sheetrock ceilings inside the home. While the homeowners had noticed this mold growth, they hadn’t considered that it could have been caused by the attic. Learn more about how attic condensation can cause mold and mildew growth here.

Solution

This attic is divided into three spaces, an upper, middle, and lower attic space. In all three spaces, we began by removing the old insulation. Then we air-sealed all top plates, plumbing penetrations, electrical penetrations, and any other holes between the attic and living space below. This will help stop the loss of conditioned air from the living space to the unconditioned attic. We then installed Rockwool can light covered and sealed them. 

With everything air sealed, our next step will be to install PVs (proper vents) to ensure that no insulation blocks the soffit vents, and the attic space maintains proper ventilation. R-10 foam board insulation is installed on the knee walls in the middle and lower attic spaces. Lastly, a fresh blanket of R-49 cellulose insulation is blown in, in the upper, middle, and lower attic spaces.

This solution is going to prevent conditioned air loss and reduce the transfer of heat between the conditioned and unconditioned space to prevent the condensation that was causing the mold and mildew growth. It will also result in the client’s home being easier to heat and cool, having more comfortable rooms, and lower energy bills in their home. Rooms that were previously freezing cold in the winter or sweltering hot in the summer will be easier to keep comfortable.