Understanding and Improving Cantilevered Floors for Energy Efficiency: A Guide by Foam Comfort

Blog Layout

Understanding and Improving Cantilevered Floors for Energy Efficiency: A Guide by Foam Comfort

Jul 13, 2023

A cantilevered floor is a floor that sticks out past the foundation or supporting wall below. It may be a first- or second-story bump-out, a bay window, or a room over an open porch. Floor joist bays that extend from the house out under the cantilevered floor are sometimes left unsealed and uninsulated by the builder, allowing outside air to flow through the home and conditioned air to escape. Sometimes cantilevered floors are insulated but not air sealed. Air barriers must be put in place across any open floor joist bays to form an air barrier between the cantilever and the rest of the house to prevent air from blowing through the insulation, which renders the insulation ineffective. Blocking material such as spray foam should be installed and when designing the home, HVAC ducts and plumbing pipes should not be located in cantilevered floors.

In the Toronto area, many homes were built with a 2nd floor that sits over the porch ceiling. We at Foam Comfort are experts in addressing these problem areas and making your home more comfortable and energy efficient. “Now that’s climate change in a good way!”

< Older Post

Newer Post >

Exterior Roof Spray

26 Oct, 2023

For this 1930’s-built house, a re-roof allowed our crew of trained professionals to spray down into the roof joists from above. The Foam Comfort Crew, along with the careful coordination of a highly skilled roofing crew, allowed the two trades to work seamlessly to prepare the area for insulation, install a 2lb spray foam solution and then to close, seal and shingle the roof. All old homes built in this area had minimal to no insulation in the roofline and attic areas often involved knee walls and dormers, further adding to the complexity. Once the old roof was removed, a cardboard baffle was secured in the joist cavity and then a 2lb medium density spray foam was applied. The 2lb foam is a vapor barrier and will not allow any condensation to form in the roof cavity below as it provides a monolithic barrier. Removing lathe and plaster from the interior is a major and totally disruptive endeavor, so using an exterior method to insulate, such as what was done in this scenario, can significantly reduce the mess and inconvenience to the inhabitants.

Spray Foam Insulation Cargo Van

21 Aug, 2023

Insulating a camper van is essential for creating a comfortable and livable space. It helps regulate temperature, reduce noise, and prevent condensation. Closed-cell spray foam insulation is the most popular insulation option for camper van builds. It provides a high R-value (a measure of insulation effectiveness) and seals all gaps and cracks. Closed-cell spray foam insulation is also waterproof and prevents condensation.