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John Ford asked:

Feb 18, 2014
Ideas for better insulation when the master bedroom is above the garage?
Since our master bedroom is above the garage, we experience extreme heat in the summer and bitter cold in the winter. In summer we can only get the room to only 80 degrees, in winter about 72. Our poor thermostat is constantly running day and night.
Feb 18, 2014

Hello John,

STEP 1.  This is a very common for homes with room(s) obove a garage.  Replacing the window (s) in the bedroom  may not solve your entire problem if the glass package you select does not include a high performance  heat reflectant type glass.   Which ever manufacturer you decide, its best to pay the additional cost and upgrade to thier best performance glass.  If you have already invested in new windows then check your paperwork to see if there is a greater performance glass option you can upgrade with for that type window .   This is a simple process and can greatly reduce your Solar Heat Gain for minimal investment.

STEP 2.  Select a certified insulation professional in your area to provide you with a "critical point air seal".  Properly applied by a certified professional at upper and lower rim joists in this room aproximatly  1' in width by 2" in thickness. Air sealing the upper and lower rim is a minimal investment  and provides  a significant and noticable change in comfort with a quick ROI.  Consider this service for the entire home.

Warm regards

Colorado Home Exterior

Hey John,

This is a common problem with many homeowners with rooms above the garage. There really isn't a solution to completely remedy your problem. Here are a few suggestions to help alleviate the harshness of the extreme temperature changes.

1. Check the insulation above the room and make sure its at least R-60.

2. Insulate attic kneewalls if you have some with R-19 and then with foam board.

3. Air seal any holes from wires, pipes, vents or ducts to that room.

4. Insulated Garage doors help a lot.

These are some things you can do yourself that will help make your room more comfortable. It's a good idea to hire a professional to perform a whole house energy audit and complete HVAC system check. 

We have had a lot of positive results with these options and I hope they help you too.

All the best,

Charlie

Aladdin Insulation and Home Improvements

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