Characteristic Problems of Cape Cod Homes
Nothing says home sweet home like a traditional Cape style home- They are cozy, simple and authentic. Yes, they are very "warming", but not when you are referring to the temperature insulation. Cape Cod style homes actually preform very poorly when it comes to proper insulation. It is ironic because Capes are a popular architectural type to have near the sea. They are always enduring those cool breeze's year round, but do a very bad job at keeping the house warm.
3 Common Problems
If you own a cape or have ever been in the upstairs area of one, you know that the upper level is always much colder then the rest of the house. The great knee wall structure that makes great use of space unfortunately allows air to leak out like crazy. There are a couple of explanations for this problem.
1. Cheap Oil= No Need for Insulation
Most Capes that homeowners live in today were built back between the 1920's-1950's. It was during the cut-rate oil era, when the cost to heat your home was very cheap. Therefore, nobody really thought about insulation, it simply was on the back burner of people's minds.
2. Leaky Knee Wall Spaces
Along with lack of proper insulation - or any at all, the knee wall space is the main reason why air is leaking out and coming inside. Those triangular spaces on opposite ends of the home are unfinished. This allows outside air to travel through them from overhanging structure of the house, also referred to as soffits.
3. Hollow Floor Joists
The floor of the upstairs area is so problematic because the floor joists that support the upstairs flooring and the below ceiling are attached. This forms a hollow where that cold air will circulate and in turn pull heated air from both levels. This causes awkward and uncomfortable temperature levels throughout the home. Also, since the knee wall space is sitting directly above the ceiling of the rooms below, and since heat rises- that air is going to escape out through the leaky insulation work upstairs.
Solutions for Solace!
Our SilverGlo foam insulation will provide the house with a significantly warmer upstairs room in the winter, and a cooler room during the hot weather. Our specially engineered insulation is an expanded polystyrene foam with graphite infused right into the foam. Blocks of SilverGlo have radiant barriers on both sides that reflect roof heat our during the hot months and draw heat back in during the winter.
If you have a Cape Cod style home that is experiencing these problems-or any home at all, give us a call today at Dr. Energy Saver. One of our certified home energy specialists will come out and provide you with a free, no obligation estimate.
In Connecticut we service Stevenson, South Glastonbury, Terryville, Westbrook, Northford and surrounding cities.
