Split Level Bump Out Homes

Today's first appointment was a split level home, with the home owner complaining about a cold room and a cold floor up above.

Upon arrival, we noticed that the home at a 2' by 15' bump out over the lower level of the home; a typical split level. The bump out had vented soffits and can lighting. We went inside to view (and feel) the rooms. The client was right - the lower level room was colder than the rest of the house and the room above (with hardwood flooring) was ice cold. We pulled the floor registers out of the room and saw...daylight. This is not a good thing, of course...

We then went to the outside and removed a portion of the soffit to see better. Once the soffit was removed (and the small chunk of fiberglass that fell out), we peered into the cavity. The can lighting was IC rated...good. However, the area to the basement level and the upstairs was completely open. Cold air could just whip below and above.

The recommendation to the homeowner was for us to build plywood ends within the floor cavity, six inches from the wall, and seal them airtight. We would then put plywood under the bump out, drill holes and dense-pack the entire bump out. Then, we would re-attached the soffiting underneath. This way the flooring will have insulation under it where there is not a room. The wall joint would be sealed off from the cold, prohibiting the air from traveling.

Why this home had an open bump out, we'll never know. This is what keeps HZG in business, though...