Insulating between the attic rafters ??

[Sam Morris]

I have never seen this before in 13 yrs of inspecting homes. This remodeled 1970 home had R-19 between the ceiling joists and R-19 between the rafters with the paper exposed, what were they thinking (i know that total R valve equals R-38) ?? Has anyone seen this before and am I missing something ?? (our R-value in my zone in Tennessee is R-38)

[Jerry Peck]

Vented attic?

If so, the insulation at the roof sheathing doesn't do anything (other than create the issue of the exposed facing, which is a fire hazard).

Other likely issues too.

[Sam Morris]

Vented attic?

If so, the insulation at the roof sheathing doesn't do anything (other than create the issue of the exposed facing, which is a fire hazard).

Other likely issues too.

Yes, Ridge, Gable and soffit vents

[Markus Keller]

I think it comes under the heading of 'unclear on the concept'.

[John Kogel]

It might have been the start of making that attic warmer for storage, such as a drywalled storage area that will trap heat from below. It would still need ventilation, but they could be adjustable vents.

[Jerry Peck]

It might have been the start of making that attic warmer for storage, such as a drywalled storage area that will trap heat from below. It would still need ventilation, but they could be adjustable vents.

If they created a 'storage room', insulated and drywalled, it would be, at the very least could be, considered 'not attic' space and would not need to be ventilated.

Depending on various things, that 'storage room' could be "unconditioned" space, or even "conditioned" space.

[Lon Henderson]

I've seen this done a fair number of times. The 'ol more is better concept that ain't necessarily true. I report any (if any) problems arising from arrangement and note potential issues, such as inadequate ventilation might cause composition shingles to prematurely age, and move on.

[Roy Lewis]

What makes it any different than if they had spray foam up there?
Just a question.

[John Kogel]

What makes it any different than if they had spray foam up there?
Just a question.The answer would depend on the location. An insulated roof deck would probably reduce attic heat in the summer, a good thing.

There are new building techniques coming into effect all the time. Spray foam is fantastic, but only if no moisture is trapped behind it.
In a northern climate, the insulation needs to be on the ceiling of the living space. My new addition had to have R40, 12" of fiberglass, on the ceiling to keep the heat where we want it. The underside of the roof deck is clear to allow ventilation of the wood and I used real plywood.

[Jerry Peck]

What makes it any different than if they had spray foam up there?
Just a question.

The first difference is that when they spray foam up on the underside of the roof decking is because the attic is being changed from a ventilated attic to a sealed attic.

That attic is still a ventilated attic, thus "any" insulation up on the underside of the roof decking is, well, useless.

Second, there are other considerations between foam and fiberglass insulation in that use (sealed attics), but in this case, those points a moot as the attic is a vented attic.

[Fred Weck]

If the brick is a masonry fireplace it doesn't look like they have 2 inches of clearance to combustibles.