Project Overview
Our team at Zavza Seal completed a large insulation and air sealing project in Ozone Park, NY. The property included a basement apartment and multiple floors with exterior walls that had no proper insulation.
The main goal of this project was to improve energy efficiency, reduce outside noise, and stop air drafts coming into the living spaces. The building had old plaster walls with little to no insulation, which caused major heat loss and discomfort for the residents.
Problem
The building had several serious issues affecting comfort and energy performance.
The basement apartment and upper floors both had exterior walls that were completely uninsulated. These walls were made of old plaster construction, which made it difficult for the home to retain heat in winter and stay cool in summer. Residents were experiencing constant drafts and uneven room temperatures.
There was also heavy outside noise entering through the walls and windows, making the living environment uncomfortable. Multiple windows on the north and east sides were also allowing air leakage.
The structure had a mix of wall sizes across all floors, including basement and upper apartments, which required a careful and custom insulation approach. Without proper insulation, the property was losing energy continuously, resulting in higher utility costs and poor indoor comfort.
Solution
Our team designed a full insulation and air sealing plan tailored to the structure of the building.
For the basement apartment walls, we worked on all exterior wall sections with seven-foot ceilings. Since the walls were old plaster construction, we carefully created access points where possible and installed dense packed cellulose insulation into the wall cavities. The insulation was installed to achieve an R value of 30, which significantly improved energy efficiency and sound control.
In some areas with brick construction, we used spray foam insulation to ensure proper coverage and sealing, especially in tighter and harder to reach sections.
For the first and second floor apartments, we followed a similar process across all exterior walls with nine-foot ceilings. We created access ports where needed and dense packed cellulose insulation was installed into all wall cavities. After installation, all access points were properly patched, taped, and finished for a clean restoration. Final painting and finishing work were left to the property owner.
Because these were older uninsulated plaster walls, extra care was taken during installation to avoid damaging the structure while still ensuring full insulation coverage.
We also performed targeted air sealing work. The main entrance door was sealed to reduce drafts and improve energy efficiency. In addition, we sealed five windows on the north side and two windows on the east back wall to stop air leakage and improve indoor comfort.
About the Insulation Used
The insulation used in this project is environmentally friendly and designed for long-term performance. It is fire resistant and meets Class 1 fire rating standards. It also provides strong resistance to moisture and water, while significantly improving sound absorption and reducing outside noise.
This insulation is Gold certified and contributes to a healthier indoor environment. Our goal is always to improve energy efficiency while also creating safer and more comfortable living spaces.
Results
After completion of the project, the building experienced a major improvement in comfort and efficiency.
Indoor temperatures became more stable across all floors, and cold drafts were significantly reduced. The property also saw a noticeable reduction in outside noise, especially in the basement apartment and street-facing rooms.
Energy efficiency improved due to reduced air leakage and properly insulated wall cavities. The residents now benefit from a quieter, more comfortable, and more energy efficient home environment.