I have a ranch-style home where the attic extends over a large carport, which is uninsulated. Living in the southeast, we experience hot summers and chilly winters (around 20°F). I'm wondering if it makes sense to either close off the attic with foam boards or insulate it above the carport. I'm mainly concerned about potential energy loss for both air conditioning in the summer and heating in the winter.
3 Answers
I agree with the others—don’t insulate the attic over the carport if that space isn’t heated. Insulating an area that’s already unconditioned won’t provide any benefits. Keep it simple and only insulate where necessary!
Foam boards would be a solid choice here! They can help seal off that attic area and may reduce some heat transfer. It's especially useful since you're not planning to heat or cool the carport itself.
Insulating above the carport won't really help your energy efficiency because that space isn't conditioned. If your attic is uninsulated, it’s better to focus on insulating above your living area instead of the carport. Since your attic should stay the same temperature as outside, introducing insulation there could create condensation issues in the long run.