My Old Workshop | Category Archives: Insulation | Page 2Insulation Archives - Page 2 of 3

Home improvement and renovation tips

Attic insulation I – now's the time

Now that the spring warmth has come upon us, you might not be thinking about insulation, but here are two reasons to beef up your attic insulation now. First off, insulation does more than protect you against the cold; it protects you against heat, too. Insulating your attic will do wonders to keep the warmth ...

Fall home maintenance tips

As you batten down the hatches and fix things up for the cold weather, you might want to scan this list to make sure you're doing everything properly.Roof ventilation is a great help in preventing winter condensation, snow melt and ice damming, and a turbine vent can work even harder for you. These are the ...

The fastest sealer in the West – caulking tips

So kid, you think you're fast with a caulking gun? You fancy yourself a silicone slinger, do you, a butyl-broncin' Buffalo Bill, a... Uh, you get the point. Well set yourself down, pilgrim, and let me tell you a thing or two.You know something, kid? The right gun's gonna help you do the job right. ...

How roof vents work

Roof vents do a lot of work to keep you and your house in good shape. They help keep the house cooler in the summer, and help prevent water damage in the winter. Here's how.In the summer, they help keep the attic from becoming an oven (which can make the rest of the house hot, ...

How insulated windows work

Keeping warm in winter and cool in summer takes a lot of energy, but your windows can help out.Windows have always been the weak spot in your home's shell. The thin pane of glass found in most houses built a couple decades ago has an R-value of maybe 1, compared to R12 or R15 for ...

How to insulate an unfinished attic

You need a little more on top. With the sun beating down on it in the summer, and heat trying to escape through it in the winter, attics require more insulation than your basement or walls.Like walls and basements, you'll need both vapor barrier and the insulation itself. But you'll also need to ensure proper ...

How to insulate a finished attic

If you're finishing your attic, insulating can be a little more complicated. First, you'll have to give up some space. Attics require a high R-value, and you need a couple inches of clearance for ventilation on top of that.You can add depth to the existing rafters by cross strapping or by adding 2x4s along each ...

How to choose new windows – and install 'em

A final word on window warmth: Double-glazing is often sufficient to keep you warm and eliminate condensation. But low-E technology -- clear glass coated with a thin, transparent metallic film -- can double the effective R-value of a double-glazed window (as can the older triple-glazing). This means warmer glass in the winter, so you feel ...

Cures for cold windows

If winter left you cold, now's the time to prepare for next year. Start by caulking completely outside and in, including: the crack between the jamb and fixed windows or windows you never open... along window stops... and along window casing where it meets the wall and the window frame. (You can also remove trim ...

How to choose new windows

Windows are very important to a house's character, so respect your house style. That doesn't mean settling for less; energy efficient, easy-cleaning windows are available in a variety of modern and traditional styles:Casements: Good ventilation. Catch and direct cross-breezes inside.Awning: Opens like a casement at the bottom, and can often remain open during rain.Double/single hung ...