Making an upstairs more comfortable year round in Mars, PA 16046

Jeff was dealing with two comfort problems that are common in two-story homes: drafty rooms and an upstairs that was difficult to keep at a consistent temperature. When the second floor feels too hot in the summer or too cold during the winter, homeowners often assume their heating and cooling system isn't keeping up. But the real problem can be hidden above the ceiling.

After evaluating Jeff's home, our team focused on the attic and the areas where conditioned air could escape from the living space.

We began with comprehensive attic air sealing, addressing hidden openings that allow air to move between the home and attic. We sealed top plates, penetrations, and chimney-related leakage areas to create a tighter separation between the conditioned living space and the attic.

The attic access was another important part of the project. Attic hatches can become significant weak points in the home's thermal boundary, so we properly air sealed and insulated the attic access to reduce heat transfer and conditioned air loss.

We also installed insulation dams where needed. These dams help keep insulation properly contained and maintain consistent coverage, preventing insulation from spilling into areas where it doesn't belong or leaving weak spots along the attic perimeter.

By reducing uncontrolled airflow and improving the way the attic insulation system performs, Jeff's home is now better equipped to maintain comfortable temperatures upstairs throughout the year while reducing the drafts that made certain rooms uncomfortable.

This project is a great example of why solving a hot or cold second floor isn't always about adding more heating or cooling. Finding and sealing the hidden pathways where conditioned air escapes can make a major difference in how the entire home feels.