Surprise! No Insulation

RealCasinoGuide

I had to replace the last crappy window in my 1952 Cape. So, after a year of nudging, I got my brother the wood mechanic to help me. As happens all too often, a seemingly easy job becomes a job and a half. After peeling back the drywall, we had an excellent view of the wasp nest (occupied) and lots of rotted wood.

We found it necessary to remove the convector cover to get access to the damaged wood beneath. To my surprise there was no insulation of any kind between the back of the convector and the sheathing, just some foil-covered craft paper stapled up.

In this part of the house, a dormer was added in 1984 and everything but the space behind the convector had been properly insulated. Why? Is there some advantage to not insulating this space? And, what gives with the foil-covered craft paper?

I took this opportunity to stuff as much R-13 as I could to fill this space before I close up the wall.

Michael_37

if you stuff it, its no longer r13. Spray foam would be better

RealCasinoGuide

No Insulation

Thats true Mike, I did try to keep it as fluffy as possible despite all the nails from outside. Foam would have been a better choice but I had a fresh roll of the itchy stuff on hand.

Charlie from wmass

Foil was sold as a reflector for the heat. It does not work as advertised but it is cheaper than insulation to buy and install.