Building Envelope Solutions
Roof insulation for Manhattan top floors
Few Manhattan buildings have a walk-in attic. What they have is a shallow cavity between the top-floor ceiling and a flat roof, and it is often empty. That is why top-floor apartments and townhouse top floors are cold in winter and hot in summer.
Three ways in
- From below, when the ceiling is open: closed-cell spray foam under the roof deck, during a renovation.
- Through small openings: dense-pack cellulose blown into the cavity, so the ceiling stays finished.
- From above, during a roof replacement: insulation added while the roof is open, coordinated with your roofer.
We look at the roof and the ceiling first and tell you which one makes sense.
Bulkheads and skylights
The stair bulkhead and the area around skylights and roof hatches leak a lot of heat. We seal and insulate them as part of the job.
Townhouses with a pitched attic
Some Manhattan townhouses do have an attic under a pitched or mansard roof. There we spray the underside of the roof, or insulate the attic floor if the space isn’t used.
Incentives
Buildings with 5 or more units may qualify for the Con Edison multifamily program. We confirm what is funded before we price the job.
Common questions
I live on the top floor of a co-op. Can I insulate just my unit? Often, yes, with the board’s approval. We send the paperwork your managing agent asks for.