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Sunday, March 16, 2008

What is a conditioned attic? Why haven't I heard this term before now? Eliminate all attic ventilation and condition the space- the photo above is of a mini-split heat pump inside a conditioned attic. Notice the closed cell spray foam is applied to the underside of the roof sheathing. In modern residences, the challenge of achieving a continuous air infiltration barrier and thermal insulation barrier at the interior ceiling level is especially difficult. The air barrier, used to isolate the living space from the attic, is usually the taped drywall, while the thermal barrier is the insulation placed on top of the drywall. Typically, the ceiling is not a single horizontal plane, but a series of horizontal planes, vertical planes (knee walls), and sloped planes, all intersecting to create the ceiling. Field inspections repeatedly show how the continuity of the air barrier and thermal barrier is compromised at knee walls, coffered ceilings, dropped ceilings, framed soffits or mechanica...