Injecting Polyurethane Foam into Existing Cathedral Ceilings

Cathedral ceilings by norm pose a difficult challenge when it comes to energy efficiency. 

In this type of ceiling, the dry wall or plaster is attached directly to the bottom of the rafters that support the roof. There is no attic and there is usually only a few inches clearance between the roof and the sloped ceiling. To make matters worse, some of these roofs are vented.

A typical roof can reach scorching temperatures of up to 150 degrees during the summer, and can get freezing cold during the winter. With only about 8 inches clearance between roof and drywall, a cathedral ceiling needs to be insulated with materials that offer the highest possible R-Value per inch. This helps keep roof temperatures transferring to the interior of the home making it uncomfortable during hot and cold seasons.

Unfortunately, most cathedral ceilings are insulated with fiberglass baths, which have low R-Value and, if not properly installed and evenly spread, will leave gaps in the insulation envelope and allow air to flow through.

There are several different approaches used to make a cathedral ceiling more energy efficient, some more disruptive than others. In this particular case, the cathedral ceiling was tied to an unvented roof. Larry Janesky, owner and founder of Dr. Energy Saver, opted for insulating it by injecting Polyurethane Foam into the ceiling cavity.

The Dr. Energy Saver team used the same kind of spray foam as if they were insulating open-wall cavities. In this case, a small cannula was attached to the nozzle so the foam could be injected from the inside of the room, through very small holes drilled on the dry wall. Spray foam insulation expands as it is applied, filling gaps and air sealing the space.

A thermal imaging camera was used to monitor the expansion of the spray foam to make sure the entire cavity was filled, not leaving behind any gaps.
If your home has a cathedral ceiling or any other architectural feature that can potentially impact your home’s energy efficiency and comfort, call Dr. Energy Saver for an evaluation. We can make your home more comfortable, and much more affordable to own!