When most homeowners think about insulation, the attic usually comes to mind. While insulating the attic is essential, it’s not the only area where heat can escape or enter your home. Many houses in Northwest Arkansas have hidden gaps and under-insulated zones that can compromise energy efficiency, indoor comfort, and utility bills.

Koala Insulation of Northwest Arkansas specializes in identifying and sealing those often-overlooked spots that could be costing you money year-round. Let’s take a closer look at 7 areas you may be forgetting to insulate—and why addressing them is vital.

1. Garage Walls and Ceiling

Garages are often unconditioned spaces, yet they play a significant role in a home’s thermal performance—especially if they’re attached. The shared wall between the house and the garage is a major source of heat transfer. In summer, the garage can turn into an oven, radiating heat into adjacent living areas. In winter, it can suck warmth out of your home.

Insulating garage walls and ceilings helps regulate temperatures in adjoining rooms and protects stored items from extreme weather. At Koala Insulation of Northwest Arkansas, we recommend garage insulation for homeowners seeking better comfort, storage protection, and energy savings.

2. Crawl Spaces

Crawl spaces are among the most neglected parts of a home when it comes to insulation. Without proper insulation and air sealing, crawl spaces allow cold air, moisture, and even pests to enter your home from below. This leads to cold floors, mold growth, and higher heating bills in winter.

Insulating and sealing crawl spaces adds a protective barrier against moisture and air infiltration. Koala Insulation offers advanced crawl space insulation solutions, including vapor barriers and spray foam options that work exceptionally well in the variable climate of Northwest Arkansas.

3. Basement Walls and Rim Joists

Unfinished basements may not be used as living space, but they have a significant impact on a home’s overall energy efficiency. Heat loss through basement walls and rim joists (where the floor framing meets the exterior walls) is a major contributor to cold floors and drafts in rooms above.

Basement insulation, especially in rim joists, is critical for maintaining comfortable temperatures and preventing air leaks. Koala Insulation of Northwest Arkansas recommends spray foam for rim joists and rigid foam board or batt insulation for basement walls depending on your goals and budget.

4. Attic Access Points

While most homeowners understand the importance of attic insulation, many overlook the attic access points themselves—like pull-down stairs, scuttle holes, or kneewall doors. These entryways are often poorly sealed and minimally insulated, creating thermal weak spots in an otherwise insulated space.

Koala Insulation can insulate and air-seal attic hatches and entry points using specialized covers and weather stripping to stop energy loss and improve attic performance.

5. Exterior Wall Outlets and Light Switches

Even small areas like electrical outlets and light switches on exterior walls can let in cold drafts and contribute to energy loss. These tiny gaps often go unnoticed, but when multiplied across several rooms, the impact can be significant.

At Koala Insulation of Northwest Arkansas, we use foam gaskets and spray foam to seal these areas efficiently, ensuring your walls stay airtight and insulated from end to end.

6. Above-Garage Bonus Rooms

Bonus rooms built above garages are notorious for being too hot in summer and freezing in winter. This is often due to inadequate insulation in the garage ceiling below and the knee walls surrounding the space. Many builders cut corners in these areas, leaving homeowners struggling to regulate the temperature.

Adding insulation under the floor, in side walls, and along the sloped ceiling can dramatically improve the comfort and usability of these rooms. Koala Insulation has the tools and materials to upgrade these tricky spaces effectively and affordably.

7. Interior Walls for Soundproofing

While thermal insulation is the main goal for exterior walls, interior wall insulation offers soundproofing benefits that many homeowners overlook. Insulating bathrooms, laundry rooms, home offices, and bedrooms enhances privacy and creates a quieter, more peaceful environment.

At Koala Insulation of Northwest Arkansas, we use batt insulation, blown-in options, or spray foam to reduce sound transmission between rooms—perfect for busy households or homes with shared living areas.

Why These Forgotten Areas Matter

Every home is a unique system, and even small areas of missing insulation can lead to larger issues over time, including:

• Higher energy bills
• Drafty rooms and temperature imbalances
• Excessive wear on your HVAC system
• Moisture and mold problems
• Uncomfortable living conditions

By addressing these commonly overlooked spots, you not only improve your home’s comfort and efficiency but also protect its structural integrity and resale value.

Why Choose Koala Insulation of Northwest Arkansas?

Our team doesn’t just look at your attic—we provide a whole-home insulation approach that includes evaluation, customized recommendations, and expert installation. Whether you’re insulating a new home, upgrading an older one, or dealing with problem areas like garages and crawl spaces, Koala Insulation brings professional service and high-performance products to every project.

We offer a full range of services, including:

• Spray Foam Insulation
• Blown-In Insulation
• Batt Insulation
• Air Sealing
• Crawl Space Insulation
• Solar Attic Fans
• Residential & Commercial Solutions

Our insulation specialists understand the unique climate conditions in Northwest Arkansas and know how to address them for long-term comfort and energy savings.

Conclusion

Insulating your home goes beyond the attic—there are many hidden and forgotten areas that can impact your comfort and your wallet. Whether it’s your garage walls, basement rim joists, or even your attic hatch, Koala Insulation of Northwest Arkansas can help you seal the gaps and maximize efficiency.

Call Koala Insulation of Northwest Arkansas today at (479) 351-0607 or visit https://koalainsulation.com/northwest-arkansas to schedule your free estimate. Let us help you uncover the forgotten areas of your home and make them work better for you!