Framing and Insulating the Attic
18 photos · demo and renovation
Once the attic was stripped, I went after the bones. Opened up wall cavities to see the original framing and sheathing, lifted sections of subfloor to run new wiring, and tied a new collar tie across the rafters to stiffen the roof. Then I built up the insulation envelope — pink foam baffles at the soffits, rigid foam between rafters, and R-19 batts in the knee walls. Did most of it myself; brought in an electrician for the rough-in.
-
During Opened up the wall cavities to see what was behind the plywood paneling. Original framing was rough but solid.
-
During Down in the basement corner — checking how the wall framing met the concrete foundation before closing anything in.
-
During Pulled subfloor to clean out old wiring and debris between joists. Wanted a clean cavity before insulating.
-
During Subfloor lifted to expose the wall plate and shimmed framing. Ran the new wiring runs through here while I had access.
-
During Checking a new collar tie for level. Wanted to stiffen the rafter span before loading it with insulation and drywall.
-
During My son swinging a hammer on framing. Nothing structural, but he learned how to drive a nail straight.
-
During Pink foam rafter vents stapled in to keep airflow from soffit to ridge. Goes in before any batts.
-
During Rigid foam board between the rafters, work lights strung across. Layering the thermal envelope.
-
During Rigid foam against the roof deck plus fiberglass batts under it. Junction box roughed in for the lights.
-
During Radiant barrier on the rafters with Kimsul still in the knee walls — those got pulled and replaced next.
-
During Mixed insulation between joists — blown-in cellulose, fiberglass batts, and rigid foam where I needed the R-value.
-
During R-30 batts and foam baffles staged and ready to install. Cheaper to buy in one trip than run back and forth.
-
During R-19 in, demo debris still kicking around on the subfloor. Insulation goes in faster than cleanup gets done.
-
During More R-19 going in with the last bags of debris ready to leave. Insulation and cleanup running in parallel.
-
During Knee wall opened up to show the layered approach — R-19 batts plus pink foam board between rafters.
-
During Joists exposed, kraft-faced batts in, electrical roughed in. About ready to start closing things up.
-
During One of my sons posing with a sheet of drywall. They'll remember helping with this house.
-
During Drywall going up on the knee walls with R-19 overhead. Outlet roughed in before the rock went on.
Want a Plan for Your Project?
Send photos and a few sentences. I'll send back a written diagnostic — what's broken, what it'll cost, and what to DIY vs. hire. $9.99, in your inbox in minutes.
Get a Diagnostic Report — $9.99 →