Attic Access 2010

More Crawl Space Innovation:

At October, 2010, I have a new solution for the most-common crawl space need, uninsulated 2x8 framing, 16" on-center: Wrap joists with 16" width R11 unfaced batts. Complete filling with R30 kraft batts. I estimate this increases floor system R-value from R21 if using only R30 kraft batts, to R31. Installed cost increases by twenty percent vs. much-less-satisfactory use of only R30 kraft batts Payback absent any rebates is slowed from about 2.4 years, to three years, still very acceptable. Despite care in R11 placement, the job is not much slower. There is absolute assurance batts can't fall, and less time thinking to pull batt edges down to cover joists. I don't feel I am losing crawl space headroom.

The photo is of an experimental beginning in my own crawl space.

A Large "Bonus Room", Ready for Drywall:

There is tight-fit Johns Manville unfaced batt insulation. A Tenoarm butyl-sealed, airtight vapor barrier is applied. Knee wall closet access will be closed by the photo-inset MidMade insulated, gasketed wall portal.

The knee wall is R30, An abutting house wall, photo on right is 2x4, overfilled with unfaced R19, separating the closet from a bathroom.

I dare to be criticized in inspection vs. Energy Trust Specifications that I have asked to be changed.I am told again at 8/23/2010, that the job won't pass inspection unless the insulation exterior surfaces are covered with a vapor-permeable air barriier.

I dare to ask what this means, and am told the standard is stapled-up house wrap. Such thoughtless rule-making and enforcement is very wasteful. The rule is applied under very difficult conditions in small closet alley-ways. House wrap is never sold with a joining tape that achieves any real air-tightness. No one would attempt tightness at roof joists, or at floor sheathing. No one would feel compelled to volunteer house wrap over the non-knee wall wall insulation. Following rules that have no reason is always haphazard, and brings discouragement, guilt and misery. My volunteering of R30 is an act of being truly diligent, against foolishness.

Extreme diligence is always a good investment. The challenge is in finding sufficient reward for the person doing the diligence, for business to be sustainable. When costly diligence is not even reportable to a rebates organization, customers get a wrong message, that it is unimportant.

This customer spent another Winter with lost heat and attic uselessness, intending to save money vs. my bid, having a friend "fix" the attic. Collapsed cellulose insulation was pushed away from a hatch, and disastrous results were made of the resources of a local hardware store, and naivete. An ugly dirtiness from the blown cellulose remained. Visqueen under odd pieces of plywood about the ladder did little for tidiness, and trapped vapor. The wobbly new American Stairways ladder was immediately-decrepit, and the pull cord did little for Dining Room decor.

Experience, and a lot of hard work and invention, brought better results. This is a Calvert 1804 ladder, modified for compact deployment against the hallway wall, mounting in the other direction where there is safe egress. I offer more, and better, in every job. The compact ladder deployment is the first ever, not imagined or yet offered by the manufacturer. I have promised to produce a video of the interesting deployment, for comparison with that out-of-the-box. There is an extremely well-produced YouTube video of the standard deployment, linked through the Calvert web site, or simply found by Google search. I now see expansive decking as a health issue in an attic that is used, at all. Energy Trust of Oregon calls for a vapor-permeable air barrier over insulation in an attic that is accessed. They think it is a commandment for knee wall closets, but in fact the thought is a proscription against any use of an ordinary attic where insulation of any kind is exposed for dust release. I hope full compliance is demanded, where I must offer fabric throws over remaining uncovered insulation. Canvas, pole-deployed with eyelets. Why not? Shake it out and wash it every few years.The tornado braces are not new.

This job demonstrates a Fakro LWS-P 25/47 R6 attic ladder, giving safe access to ample walkways and storage decking, and inviting paths for further electrical innovation through the attic. As is often the case, the general upgrade of insulation, from R9 to R38, is rivaled in savings by some "pit closure," blocking passages from the attic to wall areas below. I have revealed and sealed all wall headers. I have reset all fan ducts. I have reset roof bracing to not impede access. I have applied fireproof sealing of all ceiling light boxes and can lights.

Access is a lot more than a ladder. Weatherization is a lot more than dark release of blown dust, to cover roof debris. There is weatherization work for intelligent, caring people, at somewhat greater cost, that is the much better value. The standard must not be the lowest bid, for any home. Work done with excellence must be acknowledged, honored, and taught to all who will learn.

An intelligent European ladder, R6, replaces an obtrusive and dangerous American ladder.

The ladder enables conversion, to an intelligent attic.