Insulate behind existing kitchen
As part of our ongoing home improvements, we’d like to find a way to insulate behind existing kitchen cabinets. We do not want to tear the kitchen out as the previous owner put it in/ it is relatively new. However we are 95% positive that there is no insulation behind anything. The room is cold and drafty compared to the rest of the house, and I’ve already air sealed all penetrations from the basement and second floor.
Zone 5 climate. 100 yr old bungalow. Exterior is stucco with metal lathe, felt paper, plank boards, 2×4 stud, then plaster or drywall. Basement and first floor are balloon framed so the studs extend down 4ft past the floor to the sill plate. This 4ft section of wall cavity that is really the basement wall has 4″ concrete on the interior side of the stud. It’s a continuous extension of the foundation.
Any ideas on how to insulate this wall assembly without demoing the interior or destroying the stucco? My leading thoughts are 1) cellulose (possibly a hole above the cabinets or possibly cutting into the cabinet then patching). However I’m concerned about the concrete wall in the basement. 2) Slow rise/ injectable foam using the same method or going in from the top plate above. Neither give me a lot of confidence and I’m hoping GBA will have some ideas.
I’ve read the articles on insulating old existing walls and stucco walls. More demo would obviously be ideal. Thought I’d see if there is a way to have the proverbial cake and eat it too.
GBA Detail Library
A collection of one thousand construction details organized by climate and house part
Replies
I don't see cellulose being a problem with the basement wall. What specifically are you worried about?
Are the cabinets under a soffit? I Air sealed my dad's soffit and it cured a similar issue. His kitchen was COLD! and drafty before and it is warm now with just air sealing in the attic. Before soffit was open to the attic!
Attic is already air sealed above the kitchen.
Concerned about it being in direct contact with the concrete and wicking moisture.
What's above the kitchen? Sometimes with balloon framing like that you can get into the stud bay from above.
Above the kitchen is unfinished knee wall space of an attic. Relatively easy access to drill a hole in the top plate.