Air Sealing
Air sealing, the part most installers skip
Insulation slows heat. Air sealing stops it from leaving with the air. Doing one without the other is half a job.
Where the air goes
The ceiling is full of holes you cannot see
Every wire, pipe, duct and light fixture that passes through the ceiling is a hole. Add the gaps along the top of every interior wall and the attic hatch, and a typical 1980s house has the equivalent of an open window in the ceiling. Warm air rises through it all winter and pulls cold air in at the floor. We find those gaps, seal them with foam and mastic, install covers over can lights, and weatherstrip the hatch. Then the insulation goes on top and does its job.
- Top plates, chases and wiring penetrations foamed
- Fire rated covers over recessed lights
- Bath fans checked and ducted outside, not into the attic
- Hatch or pull down stairs insulated and sealed
Get a price
Get a written air sealing price
Give us the address and a phone number. We will call to set up the inspection.
From the field
What it looks like when we do it
How it works
Four steps from call to warm
Call or send the form
Tell us the city, the age of the house and what you have noticed. We will tell you on the phone whether it is worth a visit.
We measure, not guess
We get in the attic or crawl space, check the depth, the air leaks, the venting and the wiring, and photograph it for you.
One written price
Square footage, R-value, materials, air sealing and the rebate you qualify for, all on one page. Good for 30 days.
Install and clean up
Most attics are done in a day. We lay drop cloths, blow it in, bring you up to see the depth markers, and leave the house cleaner than we found it.
Is air sealing included in an attic quote?
On our attic quotes, yes. It is listed as its own line so you can see what it covers.
Can a house be too tight?
Modern homes are built far tighter than any air sealing we do in an existing attic. We seal the ceiling; the house still breathes through the walls and normal ventilation.
How much does standalone air sealing cost?
Typically $400 to $1,500 for a Portland area attic depending on size and the number of penetrations. It almost always makes sense to do it while the insulation is being upgraded.
Will it help with ice dams?
Yes. Ice dams come from a warm attic melting snow on the roof. Air sealing plus insulation keeps the attic cold, which is what you want.
Related
Other services
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Blown in cellulose or fiberglass to R-49 and up, with the air sealing that makes it work.
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Dense, even coverage in attics, walls and hard to reach spaces. Done in a day.
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Floor insulation, vapor barrier and rim joist sealing for the wet Willamette Valley.
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Drill and fill dense pack for older Portland homes with empty walls.
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Request a quote
Get a straight answer on your attic.
Tell us about the house and we will come out, measure, and give you one written price. Rebates included, no surprises on install day.