Insulating Cathedral Ceiling (area around skylight to be replaced)

dcase84

So I bought my house about five months ago and I have nearly the whole inside tore up. I've noticed what I thought was a poor taping job in the living room/kitchen, one spot being near the skylight. Didn't pay much attention to it as I would be fixing it once the kitchen received renovation this winter.

Well today while doing a little yard clean up I noticed a little sag to the skylight.

Well I investigated further and cut a couple holes with a hole saw. This is where it gets interesting. (Sure enough skylight is leaking)

I have cathedral ceilings throughout the house, turns out I have a 2x4 framed roof, insulated with fiberglass. Covering the fiberglass on the inside is a 3/8" hard paper material (1970s stuff), and covering that is 5/8" plywood. All seams seem to be covered with joint compound and ceiling is painted/textured.

Since I have to tear out a section to repair the leaky skylight and sagging rafter I guess I might as well tear the entire thing out and do it properly.

My question is, what would my best option for insulation be?

I know spray foam would probably be the best R value, that may be out of my price range however.

joecaption

Unless you go back and add your location it's not possible to make any good suggestions.

dcase84

Always forget something. Live in Wisconsin, so good insulation is crucial.

I would guess there is R-13 in there now, at most.

joecaption

Not even close to what's suggested in your area.
http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?...sulation_table

What condition is the roof in? Reason I ask is one way is to insulate on top of the roof, but it would require removing all the shingles.
Look up SIP roofing panels.

dcase84

I have considered doing SIPs before I even realized what my ceiling was made of. There is no way this will get done until late spring, early summer 2013.

Could I use this in combination with fiberglass batts? I ask this because even if I do go with SIPs I could at least throw in new fiberglass right away since the ceilings will be coming to for drywall.

ddawg16

2x4? Ouch.....

It it was me......(I know, easy to say on the internet)...but being very serious....I would sister 2x8's to those 2x4's. The sag will not get better. Since you already have it stripped....adding the 2x8's will be easy....not only will it fix the sag....but will give you over double the space for insulation.

My house was done with 2x4's on 24" OC....my addition is 2x8's.....I can't imangine anything less...

And remember....snow loads.....2x4 does not seem nearly enough.

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