Bonus Room Insulation in a SE Portland Home
This family had a bonus room they couldn't use. In the summer it was too hot to sit in, and in the winter it was too cold. A general contractor we work with referred them to Vale, and when we inspected it we found the problem was the bonus room insulation in the vaulted ceiling. A few inches of closed cell spray foam later, the room finally feels like part of the house.
Project Details
Location: SE Portland, Oregon
Project type: Residential
Service: Spray foam insulation
Material: 3½" closed cell spray foam
Completed: May 2026
A Bonus Room That Was Too Hot in Summer and Too Cold in Winter
The bonus room swung between extremes. It was extremely hot during the summer and extremely cold during the winter, which made it hard to use for much of the year.
That's a common story with bonus rooms. They often sit over a garage or tuck under the roofline, so more of the room is exposed to outdoor temperatures than a typical bedroom.
What We Found
When we inspected the room, the issue was in the vaulted areas of the ceiling. The cavities were too shallow to hold enough traditional insulation. Whatever had been installed there was never going to keep the heat out in summer or in during winter. The rest of the house wasn't the problem. This one ceiling was.
Our Bonus Room Insulation Solution: Closed Cell Spray Foam
We recommended filling the vaulted cavities with 3½ inches of closed cell spray foam insulation. When you can't add more depth, you need a material that does more with less space. Closed cell foam has roughly twice the insulating value per inch of standard fiberglass batts, and it also seals the air leaks that let hot and cold air sneak in.
Because the foam fills the full depth of each cavity, it makes the most of the space that's there. The installation went smoothly with no special challenges.
The Result: A Bonus Room They Actually Use
The temperature in the bonus room is now steady and comfortable all year. The homeowners told us they were happy they could finally enjoy their whole house again. That's what good bonus room insulation should do: make the room usable in every season.
Is Your Bonus Room Too Hot or Too Cold?
If one room in your house never feels right, there's usually a reason you can find and fix. Bonus room insulation problems often come down to shallow vaulted ceilings, uninsulated knee walls, or a floor over an unheated garage. We'll take a look, explain what's going on in plain terms, and tell you honestly what it will take.
Related services: Spray Foam Insulation · Attic Insulation · Residential
