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DCL
Steve Thomas is the host of Planet Green's Renovation Nation, a program that focuses on making green renovations to homes across the country. In his regular column on PlanetGreen.com, Steve goes behind the scenes of the show and offers additional tips and insight on green renovation.[u][/u]
Here's a recent question from a commenter.
"We've replaced our old 5-deep shingle roof with a high energy-rated metal roof. Can we use spray foam insulation, like is used in walls to insulate the rafters in the attic? Any tips on sealing around our attic drop-down stairs as well? "
You can definitely use foam. It would be ideal. Having not seen the site, there may be some conditions that would mitigate against it. Generally, spray foam would be a great way to insulate the roof. I did in my old house in Salem. Just shoot the spray foam under the rafters.
As for your drop-down stairs, there are some kits. There are ceiling kits for attic stairs that involve a foam box on the back side. It's like a thermal case that you install on the attic side of the stairs. Another way to do it, is to make sure you have a good seal around the edges of the fold-out stairs. Then insulate the top of the door with either rigid foam insulation or have the spray-foam guys insulate the door for you.
Another way to solve this problem is to insulate the roof deck. If you bring the roof deck into the envelope of the house, then you don't have to do the attic stairs.
Without seeing that particular set-up, I can't say for sure that these answers are right for you. But in general, this should work.
