Wall Insulation in Albuquerque, NM

Wall insulation is the hardest part of an older house to fix, because the cavities are closed up behind stucco and drywall. Many Albuquerque homes from the middle of the last century have thin batts or nothing at all in some walls, and the west-facing ones soak up afternoon sun all summer. The right approach depends on how the wall is built and whether it is open or closed.

Closed walls in an existing house

For a stucco frame wall that is already finished, insulation goes in through small holes, either from inside through the drywall or from outside through the stucco, and the holes are patched. Dense-pack cellulose is the most common fill; HomeGuide lists it at $1.60 to $4.20 per square foot. Injection foam is another option for some wall types. Before we drill, we check what is in the cavities, find the blocking and fire stops, and look for wiring or plumbing that changes the plan.

Open walls in remodels and additions

When the studs are open, during a remodel, an addition or a garage conversion, it is the easiest time to get walls right. Spray foam fills around wires and boxes and seals the gaps at plates and corners that batts miss. Fixr lists spray foam in new construction at $2.75 to $6.50 per square foot. HomeGuide puts foam in all of a home's exterior walls at $4,000 to $10,000. For a 2x4 wall, closed-cell gets the most R-value into the space; for a 2x6 wall, open-cell often reaches a good number for less.

Adobe, block and other solid walls

Solid adobe, block and stone walls have no cavity, so there is nothing to fill. Adobe stores heat and releases it slowly, which helps with Albuquerque's big day-to-night temperature swings. Insulating a solid wall usually means adding rigid board or foam on the outside under new stucco, which is a bigger project tied to re-stuccoing. If your walls are solid, we will tell you so and focus on the roof and ceiling, where the bigger gains usually are.

What the Department of Energy recommends

For wood-frame walls in climate zones 4 and 5, DOE's table lists R-20 plus R-5 of continuous insulation, or R-13 plus R-10, for walls being rebuilt. When siding or stucco comes off an uninsulated wall, DOE suggests blowing insulation into the cavity before the new exterior goes on. We use those targets when you are re-stuccoing or remodeling anyway.

Interior walls and sound

Not every wall job is about heat. Open-cell foam or dense-pack in interior walls cuts sound between bedrooms, a home office, or a garage and the living space. We can quote that alongside exterior work.

Not sure what your walls are made of or what is in them? We will check and give you options in writing. Get a free estimate