JLC ??AUGUST 1991
Cathedral Ceiling
Solutions
Five contractors describe the sloped ceiling details that work best
for them
Few components in low-energy homes produce more diverse approaches — and more disagreement
— than cathedral ceilings. The reason is simple: Trying to satisfy the insulation and
ventilation requirements in such a tight space is a real challenge.
It's often impossible to fit the required amount of insulation into the depth provided by a 12-
inch rafter. A common solution for an R-40 ceiling is to use fiberglass batts between the rafters
and then nail an inch of rigid insulation underneath the rafters. The seams of the foamboard can
be taped