9 Common areas that require insulation in a Chicago area home
Here’s a simple list of 10 common areas in a Chicago area home where insulation might be applied, along with definitions for each. These areas are typically insulated to improve energy efficiency, temperature control, and overall comfort, especially in the varying climate of Chicago. This list is not in “order of importance”, but just a list that we hope is comprehensive of the areas of your home you may be interested in discussing insulation.
1. Attic Floor
The surface (Top Side of the Ceiling of the living space below the attic) between the attic and the living space below. For existing homes is the areas where most homeowners have insulated in the past with fiberglass, cellulose or similar at the floor of the attic. This is not the primary area we install foam but we can in certain situations. Insulating the attic floor is the “most energy efficient place to insulate in an attic” but it is also the most complex due to the possibly of flooring, mechanical equipment, ducts and storage items. We most commonly foam insulated the underside of the roof.
2. Attic Walls and Roofdeck/ Underside of Roof
The vertical walls in an unfinished attic that face the outside. Insulating these walls reduces heat loss through the attic and helps maintain a stable temperature in the home. The underside of the roof. Insulating the roof deck in a finished or conditioned attic helps regulate temperatures and prevent roof-related heat gain or loss. While a larger total volume of air, it is the most common place for us to foam insulate to maximize reduction in heat loss and improve the overall comfort of your home during the winter, as well as minimize tons of cooling required during the summer. See blog on “Unvented Attics”.
3. Exterior Walls
The outermost walls of a home. Insulating exterior walls is crucial for preventing drafts and maintaining indoor temperatures by minimizing heat transfer with the outside. The average American home, when adding up all of the small holes in these walls has a 4 square foot opening in the side of their home, like having a window open 24/7.
4. Interior Walls and Ceilings between living space for noise dampening (Not Soundproofing).
Walls and ceilings between rooms inside the home. While rarely insulated for thermal reasons, interior walls and ceilings may be insulated for sound attenuation and to reduce noise transmission between rooms.
5. Basement Walls
The walls surrounding a basement that are in contact with the earth. Insulating these helps keep the basement warmer, preventing cold drafts and moisture issues common in Chicago’s cold winters. The rim of the basement is the number 2 most important area of the home to stop air leakage however, doing the rim alone does not make sense or accomplish the goal of making a home more comfortable when done by a professional. It is however a fantastic DIY project for a family to use cans of foam, mineral wool, caulking to seal up the opening from air leakage.
6. Crawl Space
A shallow area below the first floor, where a full height basement has not been installed for various reasons. Crawl spaces below your first floor, not to be confused with the area behind a knee wall in a second floor with finished areas occasionally inaccurately called a “crawl area”. (without a full basement). Insulating the walls or floor of a crawl space reduces cold air from entering the home and prevents pipes from freezing.
7. Floor Above Unheated Areas/ Cold Floors/ Garage Ceiling
Floors that sit above unheated spaces like garages, crawl spaces, or uninsulated basements. Insulating these floors keeps cold air from seeping into the home from below. The ceiling of a garage, particularly if living spaces are above. Insulating the ceiling helps keep the rooms above warmer and can prevent drafts from the garage below.
8. Foundation Walls
The solid base that supports a home. Insulating a foundation prevents heat loss through the ground and can help control moisture and humidity in the basement or crawl space. Insulating the foundation is typically part of a new construction home, since 2000 and done on the outside of the concrete with rigid or spray applied foam. In a renovation it can be done as part of foundation repairs or part of installation of exterior drainage systems.
9. Bonus Rooms Over Garage
An area that was/ is unoccupied and was not considered part of the finished space in the home and is now viewed as a valuable area of the home to be insulated and finished for storage. These areas are very complex to insulate with traditional insulation and are ideal for spray foam at the floor/ garage ceiling and the roof.
This list covers the most common areas of a home where insulation can improve energy efficiency, comfort, and durability. Proper insulation in these areas is particularly important in Chicago, where the weather fluctuates between cold winters and warm summers. Each area plays a role in maintaining a stable indoor temperature, reducing energy costs, and increasing overall comfort. When calling for an estimate it is important to know these terms so we can talk about the correct area of your home and help you accomplish your goals.
With ten years of experience selling spray foam insulation in Chicago, Tom Decker is THE person to call and the Chicago Green Insulation is the organization to hire when you are looking for top notch quality and performance as well as someone who can deal with the needs of code officials, home owners and general contractors. Call the others in Chicago, if you are interested in the cheapest price, call Chicago Green Insulation if you are interested in using your dollars to make Chicago a better city for all of us!
Chicago Green Insulation
Chicago Green Insulation
Chicago Green Insulation
Chicago Green Insulation
Chicago Green Insulation
Chicago Green Insulation