I am gutting the interior of my house and removing all the ceiling plaster and 1950s rock wool insulation. Is there a product I can use as a sheathing on the ceiling prior to putting up the drywall. We want to get the insulation in and the mechanicals bac
Ralph1962
| Posted in General Questions on
I am doing most of this work on my own, we are building new cabinets, ect. I am going to hire out the drywall hanging and finishing, but want to do that part all at once as oppossed to doing drywall now , and finishing later
Thanks Ralph
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To some extend climate zone and attic ventilation configuration matters. In most of the US you could staple up housewrap (Tyvek, et al) on the underside of the joists, then use 1x4 cross-strapping perpendicular to the joists 16" o.c. to support the housewrap to which the gypsum board could later be fastened. The strapping is necessary to limit the amount of sag, which would otherwise make it difficult to hang the gypsum.
In US climate zones 7 & higher (or in zone 6, if there isn't very good attic ventilation) it may be better to use poly sheeting (Canadian-style), to limit the rate at which moisture can get into the attic via vapor diffusion.
With either it's important to detail the thin sheet-goods as an air-barrier, lapping & taping all seams & staples
Use pan-head screws or ring-shank nails (2 per joist intersection) to hang the 1x4s or they'll split over time.
If you have mechanicals in the attic it's better (but far more expensive) to go with an unvented attic and insulated at the roof deck, but that's a whole other discussion.
I was thinking of something with some rigidity to it, like a sheet of 3/8 plywood or silver insulation board. But the TYvek might be a good way to go. The strapping would make leveling the rafters easier . Still not sure if I am going with batts or blown in for the insulation. I live in Charlotte NC , I would like to use foam , but its pricey. Thanks Ralph