Harrowsmith – September 2019

Harrowsmith Fall 2019 | 191

HOME &

DESIGN

This is simple and not particularly
unique to older homes, but it’s
also the easiest and least
expensive upgrade you can do.
Strictly speaking, there’s no
practical upper limit for attic
insulation depth. For most areas
of Canada, a minimum of about
50 cm (20 inches) of batts or loose-
fill insulation make sense. If you
can fit 65 cm (25 inches) or even
75 cm (30 inches) of depth in your
roof, that’s even better. Besides
inadequate attic insulation, many
older homes also need more attic
ventilation.

Ridge vents are more effective

than the mushroom-style vents

you see on rooftops, and they

look much better, especially on

older homes. It’s also relatively

easy to retrofit ridge vents to an

existing roof, even when you’re

not installing new shingles.

Strategy No. 1: Maximize attic insulation