← Leonia Renovation

Framing and Insulating the Attic

22 photos · attic

With the structure solid, I framed knee walls down both sides, ran new electrical and a flex HVAC trunk, then insulated everything. Rockwool R23 ComfortBatt between the rafters and Thermafiber UltraBatt mineral wool in the kneewalls. Vapor barrier over the rafters, baffles for soffit-to-ridge airflow, and outlets tested before any drywall went up.

  1. New plywood roof sheathing from the attic side, between original rafters and plank floor. During

    New plywood roof sheathing from the attic side, between original rafters and plank floor.

    attic
  2. Same sweep — new sheathing visible where rotted boards got swapped during the roof job. During

    Same sweep — new sheathing visible where rotted boards got swapped during the roof job.

    attic
  3. Rafter vent baffles installed to keep airflow at the soffit before insulation packed in. During

    Rafter vent baffles installed to keep airflow at the soffit before insulation packed in.

    attic
  4. New stud wall framing with vapor barrier going up along the kneewall. During

    New stud wall framing with vapor barrier going up along the kneewall.

    attic
  5. Knee wall framing with plastic dust barriers separating the work areas. During

    Knee wall framing with plastic dust barriers separating the work areas.

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  6. Knee wall framing with the original plank floor refinished and clean underneath. During

    Knee wall framing with the original plank floor refinished and clean underneath.

    attic
  7. Vapor barrier installed on the rafters between the framed kneewalls. During

    Vapor barrier installed on the rafters between the framed kneewalls.

    attic
  8. Same stage with plastic over the insulation to keep it dry while I worked the other side. During

    Same stage with plastic over the insulation to keep it dry while I worked the other side.

    attic
  9. Knee walls framed and plastic still up. Dust control matters when you're spending weeks here. During

    Knee walls framed and plastic still up. Dust control matters when you're spending weeks here.

    attic
  10. Knee walls framed and vapor barrier on the rafters. Ready for batts. During

    Knee walls framed and vapor barrier on the rafters. Ready for batts.

    attic
  11. Insulation bags staged in the attic next to the railing before the install started. During

    Insulation bags staged in the attic next to the railing before the install started.

    attic
  12. Thermafiber UltraBatt mineral wool ready for the kneewalls. Density makes a real difference. During

    Thermafiber UltraBatt mineral wool ready for the kneewalls. Density makes a real difference.

    attic
  13. Rockwool R23 ComfortBatt staged between rafters before I packed them in. During

    Rockwool R23 ComfortBatt staged between rafters before I packed them in.

    attic
  14. Insulation bundles staged inside the framed kneewalls, ready to pack. During

    Insulation bundles staged inside the framed kneewalls, ready to pack.

    attic
  15. Mineral wool packed around the gable window. Tight detail work in the corners. During

    Mineral wool packed around the gable window. Tight detail work in the corners.

    attic
  16. Knee wall with shiplap going on, vapor barrier stapled to rafters, insulation packed behind. During

    Knee wall with shiplap going on, vapor barrier stapled to rafters, insulation packed behind.

    attic
  17. Knee walls insulated with electrical boxes roughed in for outlets and lighting. During

    Knee walls insulated with electrical boxes roughed in for outlets and lighting.

    attic
  18. Mid-stage with framing, electrical rough-in, and tools scattered. Worked it in shifts. During

    Mid-stage with framing, electrical rough-in, and tools scattered. Worked it in shifts.

    attic
  19. Flexible HVAC duct laid over the planks before I built it into the soffit. During

    Flexible HVAC duct laid over the planks before I built it into the soffit.

    attic
  20. Tight crawl under the low slope. Wiring runs across the planks before the floor closed up. During

    Tight crawl under the low slope. Wiring runs across the planks before the floor closed up.

    attic
  21. Tested every new outlet with a circuit tester before drywall went up. No surprises later. During

    Tested every new outlet with a circuit tester before drywall went up. No surprises later.

    attic
  22. Selfie in the respirator mid-insulation. Mineral wool is no joke in a hot attic. During

    Selfie in the respirator mid-insulation. Mineral wool is no joke in a hot attic.

    attic
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