Hi everyone,

   I'd like some comments. I am just thinking ahead. Lets say, you just blew in attic insulation and a year later the owner calls and says, " I want to add recessed lighting" Here's my question: and keeping in mind sustainability and building science:

  Is it best to put a double layer, overlapped, of batt insulation, rather than blown in and have 13 in+ of insulation fall into the house?

Or maybe it would be better to blow in at the edges so that you get into the crevices and do a double batt in the center?

Thanks for your comments

Judi Lyall w/ SHE BUILDS GREEN 

Views: 437

Replies to This Discussion

Uh no - lets say you need to add a recessed light later (first besides making sure it is IC rated) simply drill a small pilot hole where you want it & push a wire feed rod through the hole

No you can go up into the attic clear the area away, check for issues, run wires, etc... with minimal issues

Now personally I have to agree with Michael Anschel & state that they should not be used at all (for me, at least in this case) but that is another argument altogether

First I would try to talk the customer out of recessed lights in general, in favor of ceiling fixtures. 

Second I would ask them before installing the insulation, if they have any remodeling plans for the home in the future, so we can take those into account before we proceed with insulation.  If the customer said at the time that they might want to install recessed lights later on, I would say let's do that now before we blow in insulation.  Make sure to use air tight rated IC cans. 

But I would not switch to batts because I don't think that is really going to save anyone any time or money.  It doesn't take that long to dig insulation out of the way in order to install recessed lights.  If some insulation falls through, so what, just clean it up.  Then top off the attic with more insulation when you are done. 

 

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