Keep in mind that if you have IC rated cans, you can fully insulate right up to them without any gap or cone. You should be able to find the rating either inside the junction box cover, on the inside of the can itself under the trim, or on the piece where the base for the bulb. It should either say: IC Rated, or Non-IC Rated.
IC = Insulation Contact (at least that’s what I always assumed; never actually verified that…)
Given that they are in the attic, I personally would never wire in any can that wasn’t IC Rated, because of course there will be insulation. But hard to say what someone else would do.
Talking with my FIL we’re going to measure this weekend:
Depth and quality of existing bats
Total area of attic (it’s the entire footprint of the house)
Areas we want to keep for storage
Potential walkway areas to the storage
We’ll also examine all of the light figures and high hats and see if I want to replace them
I’m assuming the areas under the walkways and storage platforms will be easier to fill with additional batts but I have watched some video as where they blow it as well: but that seems like more of a logistical issue because I have to blow it and then finish the pieces and then continue blowing. I’d rather just build the platforms and fill them with batts and fasten the plywood on top in a separate day and then rent the machine and finish up the job. That would also allow me to measure more accurately for the blown in materials.
I have until Dec31st to claim the federal rebate. So I’m hoping to get this planned out by end of this month and then tackle it mid October. That gives me time to address the lights if need be and nested up some of the other things up there.
I’m very lucky my FIL is handy and can lead while I follow his direction.
Absolutely. I think I had a thread on here a while back and we were discussing that. But it’s worth repeating. This weekend’s plans will include sorting out the figures and their ratings. I have the cones in the Amazon cart ready to go if need be.
Yea it’s quite possible. I don’t even remember what that thread was about now, I thought maybe just the electrical/lighting aspect. But I could be wrong. If I doubled up…oops!
@jkstevens yep just looked back and Dec '24 I started a thread asking about whether I could safely cover the hats with insulation. That was my first question I guess in this whole attic project.