Ballpark cost of insulating home

[s_wilwerding]

I'm looking the insulate the exterior walls of my 1905 home. Rather than drill into the plaster wall all over the house, I thought I would go the siding route (as in, remove the wood siding, drill holes, blow in insulation, patch holes, re-install siding).

Does anyone have a ballpark on what this might cost? I was thinking in the neighborhood of 3 grand, but that may be way low.

[azasadny]

Steve,

I would put my $ into new windows, doors and attic insulation before I would go to the trouble and expense of insulating the walls. Others here know more than I do, but in my house (built in 1936), I got the "biggest bang for my buck" by replacing the original leaky windows with new insulated windows, new foam-filled steel doors, new weatherstriping, sills, etc... and foam in place (FIP) insulation in the attic. I paid particaular attention in sealing up my basement, especially along the rim joist and any leaks into the attic. Think of your house like a large chimney, with cold air coming into the house, pushing the warmer air up and out of the living space. Crawlspaces are notoroius for letting cold air into the living spaces. Just my .02 worth. Good luck!

[s_wilwerding]

Interestingly enough, I do have old windows, but I have interior storms. They are basically pieces of Pexiglass with a magnetic frame. A small magnteic frame is installed on the inside of the window, and the Plexiglass storms fit tight up against the original windows. I also have exterior storms, so even on the coldest days, you can put your hand against the Plexiglass and it isn't cold.

Doors are probably a good idea, but I don't like having no insulation on the walls. It actually makes the house drafty, and, in my living room where there is a lot of exterior surface wall, it can get pretty uncomfortable anytime the furnace isn't running (ie. after it has reached 70 degrees in the house). I've talked with people in Omaha, and they say that you get a huge benefit from instulating exterior walls in an old house.

[Icemaster]

Whats the exterior of your house?

It can make a difference, especially if it's balloon frame (betting it is...).

[s_wilwerding]

The exterior of my house is wood siding on the first floor and cedar shingles on the second floor.

I don't know for sure, but I believe it is ballon frame.

[Icemaster]

Originally posted by s_wilwerding
The exterior of my house is wood siding on the first floor and cedar shingles on the second floor.

I don't know for sure, but I believe it is ballon frame.

OK,

Probably holds more merit in my case than yours (stucco exterior), but I had 2 different insulating contractors, a GC and the home inspector (done when I bought the place) advise against blown in insulation in the walls UNLESS I could come up with some way to allow the space to breathe. Meaning, the air circulation was needed within the wall cavity to prevent condensation build-up and over long terms failure of the exterior surface. Only way to do it would have been to install vapor barrier, or to interior vents along the same lines as are installed against the underside of the roof decking when rolled insulation is installed between the roof joists. The balloon frame allows the air to circulate through the wall from attic to basement. Not so good for fires or insulation, but does keep the exterior wall in good shape and was simply the design when our houses were built.

Anyway, I'm in the same boat as you, but in a different climate (although you sure couldnt tell these past two weeks...), and get by just fine with insulated doors, storms, and blown in under the deck of the attic.

You might want to check with a few folks and see if its even a wise move.

[MikeSid]

Yep. Insulated space must be ventilated space.

You can blow in wall insulation without ripping off the siding.

My house was built in 1913 and I concur that attic, basement, windows and doors should get tightened up before the walls. Although it sounds like you've done at least some of that.