Spray Foam Insulation in Oak Ridge, Tennessee

Why Oak Ridge Cemesto Homes Need Spray Foam

The original Oak Ridge homes - A, B, C, D, E, and F type cemestos - were prefabricated by John B. Pierce Foundation for the Manhattan Project and shipped in by rail in 1943. Cemesto panels were 1-inch fiber-cement board sandwiching a half-inch sugar cane fiber core. Total assembly R-value as built: roughly R-2. There was no wall cavity insulation. There was no air sealing. The roof had a single layer of fiberglass batt on top of the ceiling joists. Eight decades later most cemestos have had some attic work done, but the walls remain almost untouched.

For these homes we typically spray closed cell foam on the underside of the roof deck (to bring the attic into the envelope), inside the crawl space rim and walls, and where wall cavity access exists during remodeling. The thermal performance change is dramatic - Oak Ridge cemestos that hit 85°F upstairs in July routinely stabilize at 74°F after the work, with summer electric bills cut 30-45 percent. The 1950s ranches in Highland View and Woodland respond similarly, though they typically have wall cavity insulation that just needs to be supplemented at the attic and rim joist.

Oak Ridge Neighborhoods We Service

All of Oak Ridge, including: Highland View, Woodland, West Hills, East Village, Emory Valley, Glenwood, the original "A through F" cemesto neighborhoods, plus surrounding Anderson County communities: Clinton, Norris, Lake City, Andersonville, Marlow, and Claxton.