Under Staircase Insulation

[nowty]

I have a staircase and downstairs loo that back onto an unheated part of the house. About 8 years ago I insulated the back of the downstairs loo with 5cm of foam board, wow it made a difference. I also insulated the back of the lower 3 stairs whilst I was at it and was going to do the rest the following year. Its been on the ToDo list ever since.

Nearly got round to doing it last week but it was so chilly, I could not face it, but its gone mild again so in the few days of relative warmth we have, I decided to start finally dealing with it.

I also noticed using an IR thermometer that the bottom 3 steps from the inside are nearly 2 degrees warmer than the uninsulated ones. I already had some 5cm Kingspan insulation board I bought years ago but the awkward shape that needs to be cut out has always had me put it on the back burner.



Spent a couple of hours this afternoon finally measuring it and cutting it, and shaping it for the first two steps. But now its a bit like the Ripple Wind Turbine, a project under construction so needs to be completed.



So I expect more progress from myself tomorrow.

[Joeboy]

Brilliant, it all counts! Neat cuts too.

[nowty]

Brilliant, it all counts! Neat cuts too.

There was a lot of swearing though, kept hitting my head alternately on the overhead inspection light I had clamped to a joist, then onto the steps and back again.

[nowty]

Rain stopped work earlier in the day but then I was back onto it, all done apart from the last top stair step. Used building silicone to stick the kingspan insulation boards on and then used aluminium tape for the final finish.

8 years on the ToDo list finally (well almost) done.

[Joeboy]

Neat job (we really need an applause emoji).

[AE-NMidlands]

So that's why you needed lots of aluminium foil tape!
My staircase is in the middle of the ground floor of an ordinary house, and needs a bit of warmth from the hall around it - but its floor is heavily insulated.
That must be quite an unusual job that you are doing, I have never heard it suggested before. It does give me a chance to show my "bibles," dating back to about 1975:

Technological self sufficiency is (was) brilliant, even if he was completely wrong about how to use compression fittiings! Luckily I had read other books too...
A

[Mr Gus]

This is something I was mulling over back on st elsewhere a few years back, it was if I recall deemed a no no due to fire risk (but stairs are wood right) !?
That & some of the area is our ladder so keeping heat out in summer months was of interest to myself, (bread storage) & general hallway cold / heat block.

Tis a lovely job there Nowty.
What are you cutting boards with a regular saw or a wavy cheese sliced bladed one?

Are the steps noticeably quieter?

[Stinsy]

What are you cutting boards with a regular saw or a wavy cheese sliced bladed one?

I've used a panel saw in the past. Makes nice straight cuts and is pretty easy but creates a huge amount of mess. I've heard of people using a grinder to make a straight blade from an old/blunt panel saw, or using a kitchen knife.

I bought a special "insulation buster" blade for my multi-tool and it cuts like a hot knife through butter without mess. I wouldn't do it any other way now...

[nowty]

Tis a lovely job there Nowty.
What are you cutting boards with a regular saw or a wavy cheese sliced bladed one?

Are the steps noticeably quieter?

I cut with whatever is to hand, usually start off with a sharp box cutter against a straight edge to get a nice clean cut through the foil, then the box cutter wont go all the way through so I finish with a sharp smooth kitchen knife. Once your 3/4 through the board, it can then easily be broken cleanly, then cut the other side of the foil with the box cutter. The kitchen knife is then used to shape and shave off bits to make the perfect fit.

The steps are quieter but not because of the insulation. The backs of the stairs were loose because nails had been used and they inevitably become loose over time, so the stairs creaked a little so I have screwed them in. As the insulation is glued in place, its not something that's ever going to be easily removed so needed them to be permanently sorted.

A couple of years back I installed Oak step covers on the inside.




Next job will be replacing this window half way up the stairs, you feel the cold when walking past it in winter. Triple glazed A++ window on order, I was hoping to get it in before Xmas, but received my delivery date yesterday, now going to be mid Jan.

[Mr Gus]

Nowty, what's the spec on that wood & fitting process please?
(wife wants new carpet on stairs but this is way nicer)