You’d think these areas would come with insulation especially when you’re building a brand new home. But surprisingly, they don’t! While most builders make sure your exterior walls and attic are insulated, there are a few important spots that are often skipped unless you specifically ask for them.
Here are three of the most commonly overlooked areas and why you’ll want to make sure they’re insulated from the start.
1. The Garage
Up north, garage insulation is more common. But the further south you go, the less likely you are to find any at all.
If you plan on using the garage as a workshop, gym, or even just doing laundry in there, it’s going to get uncomfortable fast without insulation. And don’t forget the garage door! Yes, you can insulate that too.
Insulated Garage Door via Family Handyman
2. Interior Walls
Most people are surprised to learn that interior walls don’t come insulated by default. Only the outer walls get that treatment. But while interior insulation won’t do much for your heating and cooling bill, it can work wonders for peace and quiet.
Think about guest bathrooms, kids’ bedrooms, or your home office. Insulating those interior walls can help cut down on sound transfer. Whether it's someone dropping bombs in the guest bathroom or giggling during a late-night tickle fight, interior insulation helps keep those sounds from traveling through the house.
Interior Wall Insulation via EnergySmart Insulation
3. Attic Access
Your attic may be fully insulated, but what about the opening to get into it? This is one of the most forgotten gaps in the insulation plan. Whether you have a pull-down ladder or a simple hatch in the ceiling, that unsealed access point acts like a hole and lets in heat, cold, and drafts.
There are specific products made to insulate and seal attic access points, but most new builds leave them out unless you ask. If you’re lucky enough to have a walk-in attic with a door, don’t forget you can insulate the backside of that door too. It helps keep things sealed up tight and lets the rest of your attic insulation do its job properly.
Here’s a popular Ladder Pull-down insulation cover: https://geni.us/Atticdoorinsulation
Attic Insulation via Green Rodent Restoration
Plan Ahead For Insulation
These three areas in your home are easy to miss if you don’t know to ask about them. If you’re building a new home make sure you’ve got everything covered for your new home build with The Ultimate Home Building Checklist. Your future self with thank you!
