Air Seal & Insulate Garage Ceiling in Turners Falls, MA
Challenge
Garages are not heated, but the finished rooms above them are, so the garage ceiling must be insulated. Unfortunately, fiberglass batts leave lots of air space for air to circulate around them, eliminating their R-value. Results - cold, drafty floors upstairs and excess noise from the garage heard upstairs.
Solution
Siding can be removed or drilled. Holes are drilled into the rim joist (outer edge of the ceiling/floor framing) from the outside, a very long pipe is inserted into the joist bays all the way to the other side. Cellulose is blown in and dense packed into the floor. This not only compresses existing loose fiberglass batts and adds much insulation value, but the density stops airflow through the floor from air leaks. The homeowner may need to touch up paint the wood siding or paint over wood plugs. Results - warmer floors above, more comfortable rooms, quieter floors upstairs without that hollow sound, and lower heating and air conditioning bills.
