Attic and Crawl Space Weatherization in Ann Arbor, MI

Some insulation projects are about fixing one specific problem. Others have several things going on at the same time.

This Ann Arbor home was the second kind.

Our crew at Koala Insulation of Greater Ann Arbor worked in both the attic and crawl space, taking care of several areas that were affecting the home’s insulation and air sealing. Instead of just adding more insulation and calling it done, there were a few details we wanted to address first.

Ventilation. Air leaks. The attic access. Areas around the exhaust fans and furnace flue. Then we moved downstairs and tackled the crawl space.

Starting With the Ann Arbor Attic

Up in the attic, the home already had insulation, but it needed more.

We topped off the existing insulation with blown-in cellulose to approximately R-49. Before doing that, our crew installed ventilation baffles where needed.

Those baffles are an important little detail. They help maintain airflow from the soffits instead of allowing the new blown-in insulation to block those ventilation paths.

Once everything was ready, we could get the cellulose blown in and bring the attic up to the insulation level we were looking for.

Air Sealing the Areas That Get Missed

Adding insulation was only part of this job.

Our crew also worked around the bathroom exhaust fan housings, sealing areas where air could move between the living space and attic. We addressed the furnace flue as well, making sure the area around it was properly sealed while maintaining the required clearance.

Then there was the attic access.

Attic hatches and access points can be surprisingly drafty. It doesn’t make much sense to improve the insulation across the entire attic and then leave a weak spot right at the opening, so we improved that area to help cut down on drafts.

None of these individual things are huge on their own. Together, though, they matter.

Moving Down to the Crawl Space

The crawl space needed a different approach.

There was old fiberglass insulation around the rim and band joists, so our crew removed it. We then applied 2 inches of closed-cell spray foam in those areas.

Closed-cell foam works well here because we’re not only adding insulation. The foam also helps seal the smaller gaps and cracks around the rim area where outside air can find its way into the home.

This is one of those places homeowners rarely see, but it can have a real impact on how drafty a house feels.

Weatherization Is More Than Adding Insulation

This Ann Arbor project is a good example of what we look for at Koala Insulation of Greater Ann Arbor.

Sometimes the answer is more insulation. Sometimes it’s air sealing. And quite often, it’s a combination of several smaller improvements throughout the home.

Here we had blown-in cellulose, ventilation baffles, exhaust fan air sealing, work around the furnace flue, attic access improvements, fiberglass removal and closed-cell spray foam in the crawl space.

A lot of little pieces, but all working toward the same goal — a better insulated and more efficient home.

If your Ann Arbor, MI home has an attic or crawl space that hasn’t been looked at in a while, we can take a look at what’s actually there and what may need attention.

Call us or visit our website for a FREE evaluation!