replace insulation in walls when doing siding?

11 years ago

I am having the old cedar siding on my house replaced with hardi plank to get rid of all the bees birds and every other creature that thinks my house is a giant tree away. I decided to have all the old galvanized pipe replaced while I had the siding off as well. Today I removed some of the siding so the plumber could get to all the pipe since he's ready to start before the siding guys and noticed the insulation in the walls seems a little deflated I guess? It's in paper bats and it's sort of a grayish color so I guess that's cellulose insulation? It isn't nearly as thick as fiberglass bats though. I did buy a couple rolls of insulation to fill any empty spaces that might be found but I'm wondering if i should replace it all now?

The thing making me lean towards no is that right now there is no sheathing under the siding, just tar paper over the studs. The windows are cheesy old single pane aluminum windows that you can feel the wind cut through on a breezy day. The most my light bill has ever been in 3 years of living here is $220.... it's usually under $100. Now when the hardi is installed all new double panes windows, plywood sheathing, and tyvek is going up with it. The other plus I'm thinking is there are very few vents in the soffit for attic ventilation now and the hardi will be vented the whole run of the soffit.

I'm thinking maybe it's a waste of money to buy all new insulation for the walls?

Featured Answer

Vith

11 years ago

last modified: 11 years ago

Its probably gray from dirt, which shows air penetration. In hot and humid climates, the vapor barrier is to be put on the exterior of the insulation to keep the humidity out and not condensate on the cold air conditioned interior. If the insulation is intact perhaps just a vapor barrier would help to stop air infiltration. You may replace the windows at some point and its better to replace the insulation if needed while its opened up. If the insulation seems to crumble and is no good, then replace it.

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Comments (10)

PRO
Precision Carpentry
11 years ago
It's hard to answer any kind of questions about insulation without knowing what part of the country you are in but the proper insulation and air circulation is always good.If it's paper faced I would guess it is fiberglass,The grey color could be from moisture ,dust or dirt of everything being not sealed properly intrusion or many other factors.

Bottom line is,without more info,when opening up walls to do this extensive work it's always good to make sure you have the proper insulation.Can't tell you what that would be without more info and a location.
millworkman
11 years ago
Is there sheathing on the house or is the siding directly on the studs? Hardi siding would need to be on sheathing if there is none, I doubt very much you can put it directly on studs.
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nirvanamike06
Original Author
11 years ago
I'm in Houston tx. Now that I think about it I was a little itchy after messing with it so maybe it is fiberglass.

Right now the siding is nailed directly to the studs. When the hardi is installed they are going to put sheathing up.
User
11 years ago
It more likely to be mineral wool. Is the paper facing intact, asphalt coated and the edges laped over the inside faces of the studs? The first thing to decide is if you want a vapor barrier and where.
nirvanamike06
Original Author
11 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
I looked up mineral wool insulation and it doesn't look quite like that but mine is old so maybe that's why it isn't yellow anymore. The house was built in the early 80s. I'll try and snap some pictures of it when I get home to see what yall think.

Man I'm no expert but I read in humid climates you don't want a vapor barrier on the insulation? It will make condensation or something?
nirvanamike06
Original Author
11 years ago
Well I guess this isn't a issue anymore... I called the guy installing the siding and windows and he said it'd be about $1000-1200 to redo all the insulation in the walls so I figure I'm already spending this much another thousand isn't gonna break me and I'll have the peace of mind.
User
11 years ago
It's wasn't clear to me what you meant by "its in paper bats" so I was asking if there was a paper facing (which is often a vapor barrier) in the hope that you might be more specific. This wall remains a mystery to me so I can't offer any advice.
nirvanamike06
Original Author
11 years ago
Ok I took some pictures. Maybe yall can help me out. When I looked at it today in a little more light it didn't look as bad as I thought it did
hapagrrl
11 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
I would absolutely replace that insulation! But it's a pet peeve of mine - I live in an area where people commonly don't insulate and it drives me crazy. I'm now dealing with having to take down old drywall to insulate from the interior (drill & fill is out of my budget). So, I say -- If you're in there anyway, then go ahead and take care of it and do the job right. ;) It can't hurt a bit.