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Looking for advice about retro-fitting attic insulation
4 Replies

Started this discussion. Last reply by Phil Jul 4, 2009.

Is it desirable to reattach plaster keys when re-insulating attic?
10 Replies

Started this discussion. Last reply by John Leeke Jul 3, 2009.

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Italianate in Ionia replied to Nancy's discussion 'New Gutters on Old House?'

Thanks for your response, Jane. Perchance, can you point me towards any references about historic landscaping? I'm interested in learning about when foundation planting was encouraged. References are few and far between. Rows of annual bedding…

Dec 1, 2010

Italianate in Ionia replied to Nancy's discussion 'New Gutters on Old House?'

Why do I need gutters on my house? My house presently has gutters and downspouts that are pretty well clogged up with composting leaves. The house was unoccupied for five years before I purchased it. I've climbed out of a window onto one of…

Nov 25, 2010

Italianate in Ionia replied to Sara Mallio's discussion 'Insulation a crawl space to keep the pipes from freezing!'

Be cautious about insulating the floor joists above a crawl space I came across an Internet article ( http://www.buildingscience.com/documents/insights/bsi-009-new-light-in-crawlspaces?topic=resources/cond-crawlspaces ) warning about floor joists…

Nov 24, 2010

Italianate in Ionia replied to Jennifer D.'s discussion 'Sagging floors in 140 year old home'

Apparently the hotlinks I intended did not make it to the posting. Eastern Michigan University Michigan Historic Preservation Network

Oct 28, 2009

Italianate in Ionia replied to Jennifer D.'s discussion 'Sagging floors in 140 year old home'

Eastern Michigan University (located at Ypsilanti) offers a graduate course (Master of Science degree) in Historic Preservation. The HIstoric Preservation program is chaired by Dr. Ted Ligibel. You can go to and search for "historic…

Oct 28, 2009

Phil replied to Italianate in Ionia's discussion 'Looking for advice about retro-fitting attic insulation'

I recently upgraded my attic insulation in the front of my house, including insulating my tower attic that spent its first 112 years with zero insulation, planked shut from the rest of the attic. I just used paper faced fiberglass insulation batts…

Jul 4, 2009

Lair Tienter replied to Italianate in Ionia's discussion 'Looking for advice about retro-fitting attic insulation'

You have clearly given more thought to this than I did. You have very good points and my experience with Styrofoam is working over my head in very cramped areas. I tend to remember the difficulty and forget the benefits. Maybe the easiest is not the…

Jul 4, 2009

Italianate in Ionia replied to Italianate in Ionia's discussion 'Looking for advice about retro-fitting attic insulation'

I understand your viewpoint about doing the least amount of work. Fiberglass has R=3.5 per inch, which would give me R=21 if I fill the joist bay (assuming the 2 inches of old insulation has a comparable R-value and is left in place). But I already…

Jul 4, 2009

Lair Tienter replied to Italianate in Ionia's discussion 'Looking for advice about retro-fitting attic insulation'

I agree, you do need more insulation but I'm not that sold on Dow styrofoam. It sounds like a whole lot of work. If it were mine I would blow in several inches of fiberglass. No weight and it is fireproof. I'm not an insulation expert but…

Jul 3, 2009

John Leeke replied to Italianate in Ionia's discussion 'Is it desirable to reattach plaster keys when re-insulating attic?'

Not from the publisher (I suppose), check your library or any long-time old-house nut who probably has a full set of issues squirreled away on the top shelf in the back pantry. That article may have also appeared in the Old-House Journal…

Jul 3, 2009

Italianate in Ionia replied to Italianate in Ionia's discussion 'Is it desirable to reattach plaster keys when re-insulating attic?'

Yes, the new plasterboard is screwed to the joists and lath. But I am not happy with the textured paint they applied to the new plasterboard. I am tempted to remove the new plasterboard "someday" and repair what remains of the original…

Jul 3, 2009

Looking for advice about retro-fitting attic insulation

I'm up in the attic of my 1865 double-brick wall Italianate house, desiring to remove its 2-inches of loose-fill insulation (possibly rock wool?) and replace it with higher R-value insulation. Floor joists in attic are 1" x 6", 14" centers, wood lath with plaster ceiling to rooms below. Electrical wiring is modern plastic-sheathed cables. Previous owner disconnected (but left in place) the earlier porcelain post and tube wiring.I'm inclined towards installing friction-fit sheets of blue-colored…See More

Discussion posted by Italianate in Ionia Jul 3, 2009

4 Comments

Italianate in Ionia replied to Italianate in Ionia's discussion 'Is it desirable to reattach plaster keys when re-insulating attic?'

Are 20-years-old back issues of OHJ still available?

Jul 3, 2009

Clarence A Bauer replied to Italianate in Ionia's discussion 'Is it desirable to reattach plaster keys when re-insulating attic?'

Not sure who formulated this recipe? If you need that info you may want to check out one of the following. Frank Matero American Institue for Conservation (AIC) Also try Joe Oppermann AIA Last contact i had with him was Sept. 2000 I did use this…

Jul 2, 2009

John Leeke replied to Italianate in Ionia's discussion 'Is it desirable to reattach plaster keys when re-insulating attic?'

If you have back issues of OHJ, check out my Saving Irreplaceable Plaster article in the Nov.1987 issue. Instead of using the adhesives mentioned in the article use Rory Brennan's Plaster Magic products, they are formulated especially for this…

Jul 2, 2009

John Leeke replied to Italianate in Ionia's discussion 'Is it desirable to reattach plaster keys when re-insulating attic?'

What is the source of this recipe? John www.HistoricHomeWorks.com

Jul 2, 2009