Crawlspace insulation upgrade in Ann Arbor using batt insulation and air sealing for better comfort and access

We were out on a job in Ann Arbor recently that felt pretty familiar. Nothing was completely broken, but the home just wasn’t comfortable the way it should be. Floors felt colder than expected, and the homeowner needed access for future duct work without everything being sealed shut. That’s usually when we get the call.

What We Found

When we took a look, it wasn’t one big issue. It was a mix of smaller things adding up. Some work had already been done, but it wasn’t finished the right way.
• spray foam applied only around edges
• no batt insulation between floor joists
• crawlspace access was tight and difficult
• airflow still moving through the floor system

You could tell the system wasn’t working together. We see this a lot in Ann Arbor homes where previous jobs were only partially completed.

Why This Happens

A lot of insulation companies push one solution and stick to it. Sometimes that works. But not every home needs the same approach. If access matters or future work is planned, fully sealing everything with foam can actually create problems later. That’s usually the part that gets overlooked. The Building America Solution Center has a good breakdown of how crawlspace insulation should be approached depending on how the space is used. It lines up with what we see in real homes every day.

What We Did

For this home, we went with a combination approach. We foam sealed the perimeter to control air movement, then installed batt insulation between the floor joists. This gave the homeowner what they actually needed. Performance without losing access. We also corrected the previous work where insulation was missing between joists. It wasn’t complicated work, but it needed to be done right.

How It Went

From our side, it was a smooth job. We showed up when we said we would, worked through some tight crawlspace areas, and made sure everything was cleaned up before we left. The homeowner said it best:
“Koala insulation did a fine job on my project that. I got estimates from 2 other companies, who bid 2x higher for, and didn’t want to do what I wanted. They only wanted to spray foam and not use batting. I needed to use batting between the floor joists, so I could have access for future duct work that I need. I appreciate Koala being honest, really pleasant to work with, and with very fair prices. For a first time home-owner, I appreciated Bob taking time to discuss options for the job and treating me with respect. I didn’t get that from other companies. For the first section Bob, Nolan and Jay foam sprayed the edges and used batting between the joists. They had to enter the crawl space through a small opening where a window had been. For the other section, they had to fix what a previous company didn’t do, that company sprayed the edges but did not add batting between the floor joists. They moved the sofa, and crawled underneath, where they had very little wiggle room. They also did a great job cleaning up after themselves, and making sure I was happy with the carpeting and furniture put back in place. If you want honest, pleasant workers with fair prices, I highly recommend Koala. They came on time, and got the job done on time with smiles and good humor.”

Results

The change wasn’t dramatic all at once. It was more that the home started to feel steady.
• floors felt warmer and more consistent
• airflow was controlled without sealing everything off
• access was preserved for future work

That’s usually how you know it worked.

Local Context

We see this setup all the time in Ann Arbor. Not bad insulation. Not no insulation. Just not done with the full picture in mind. When insulation and access aren’t balanced properly, it creates long term headaches.

Learn More About This Type of Work

If you want to see how this fits into the bigger picture, check out our crawl space encapsulation services in Greater Ann Arbor.

Final Thoughts

At Koala Insulation of Greater Ann Arbor, we focus on what actually makes sense for the home. Not just one method for every job. If something feels off, there’s usually a reason. Call us or visit our website for a free estimate