Enclosed Back Porch Project

drussoli · 06-15-2011, 11:41 AM

I have a 1920's home that has an enclosed back porch 8x20. It is cold in the winter and hot in the summer. It costs me a fortune in heating and cooling since it affects the whole house. I took up the floor and found a dirt floor crawl space. I insulated the concrete foundation walls and put a vapor barrier on the dirt floor. (I did not put insulation under the vapor barrier) There is fiberglass insulation already under the floor boards (between the joists).
Question is: should I add more insulation to the dirt floor or is the vapor barrier and the fiberglass enough? The existing floor is old T&G, should I put roofing paper over the T&G before laying the 23/32 OSB or should I use the plastic vapor barrier?

thanks in advance.
Dan

Ron6519 · 06-15-2011, 03:00 PM

I'd get rid of the wood floor completely amd put a vapor barriers and foam board insulations and pour a slab. If you have a boiler, I'd incorporate radiant floor heat.
You make no mention of:
Type of wall and ceiling insulation and how much?
Type of windows?
If the room has heat and what kind?
Type of heat in the house?
any separation between this and the house? Doors?

drussoli · 06-15-2011, 04:08 PM

Ron,
I thought about removing the wood floor, but I have already removed 2 layers of plywood. I could still get in the crawl space and put some rigid foam under the vapor barrier. But someone told me that the vapor barrier was enough. I don't think I can pour a slab, I just don't want to get too expensive. Why do you recommend removing all of the old wood?
Type of wall and ceiling insulation and how much? walls are T&G with about an R13. I removed the suspended ceiling and found more T&G. R19 in the ceiling, but a big access hole was allowing cold air to come in. I am going to close the ceiling and paint the T&G.
Type of windows? Old windows and an exterior door to be replaced.
If the room has heat and what kind? single radiator with 1/2 in copper feed, replacing with 3/4 in pipe and insulating pipe.
Type of heat in the house? Oil, hot water, may be changing to gas.
any separation between this and the house? Doors? one door that we try to keep closed, but someone always forgets.

thanks,
Dan

Ron6519 · 06-15-2011, 05:17 PM

The wood removal recommendation was based on what I thought was wood very close to the dirt. If it's not, leave what you have.
The ceiling insulation might be fine if you live in a moderate area. You can look at an insulation map to see what's good for your region.
Replacing the windows and doors will help to conserve energy.