Insulation Before & After in Long Beach, CA
You can talk about R-values and air sealing all day, but nothing makes the case like standing in an attic that finally holds its temperature. The photos below show real scenarios we handle across Long Beach neighborhoods, from Belmont Shore bungalows to Lakewood-adjacent ranchers. Every project starts with a written price and ends with our 365-Day Done Right Promise behind it.
Recent Transformations
Attic Insulation Replacement in a 1960s Rancher
[Photo placeholder: Before – sparse, grayed fiberglass batts with visible gaps. After – fresh Owens Corning blown-in insulation at uniform depth.]
The problem here was classic Long Beach stock: original batts compressed to about two inches, with daylight sneaking through at several eaves. We removed the old material, air-sealed the top plates and wire penetrations with foam, then blew Owens Corning fiberglass to an even R-38 across all 1,100 square feet. The upstairs bedrooms stopped swinging ten degrees from midday to midnight.
Spray Foam Insulation for a Flat-Roof Addition
[Photo placeholder: Before – exposed rafters with no insulation. After – Icynene open-cell spray foam filling the cavities, trimmed flush.]
A homeowner near Recreation Park had a converted garage that was unusable from June through October. The flat roof left almost no attic space, so batts were never going to work. We applied Icynene open-cell spray foam directly to the underside of the roof deck, turning the whole ceiling into an insulated, air-sealed surface. The room now holds 74 degrees in August without the window unit running nonstop.
Attic Insulation for a Drafty Craftsman
[Photo placeholder: Before – thin cellulose scattered unevenly. After – Johns Manville blown-in fiberglass at consistent depth, baffles visible at eaves.]
This Belmont Heights Craftsman had maybe three inches of settled cellulose that looked like someone had stirred it with a rake. The living room furniture sat right under the attic hatch, so our crew laid drop cloths across the hardwood from the front door to the ladder, then upgraded the attic to a consistent Johns Manville blown-in fiberglass at R-38. The furnace cycled noticeably less the first winter.
Spray Foam for a Crawlspace That Wouldn’t Quit
[Photo placeholder: Before – damp crawlspace with visible floor joists. After – Demilec closed-cell foam on rim joists, clean and uniform.]
The floors in this 1950s home stayed cold enough that the kitchen linoleum felt like a refrigerator shelf all winter. Air was pouring in through the rim joists. We sealed the perimeter with Demilec closed-cell foam, which stops both air movement and moisture wicking into the framing. The homeowner noticed the difference in the kitchen before the thermostat even clicked on.
Whole-Attic Cleanout and Re-Insulation for a Pet Household
[Photo placeholder: Before – old insulation with rodent droppings and dust. After – clean attic floor with new Rockwool batts, walkway boards in place.]
This attic near El Dorado Park had been home to a family of roof rats before the roofing was replaced. The old insulation was contaminated. We vacuumed everything out, sanitized the deck, and put down fresh Rockwool batts, which resist pests and moisture. The owners have two dogs and were relieved that we used pet-safe options where a choice existed and cleaned the attic like it was our own living room before we left.
Garage Conversion Insulation with Sound Dampening
[Photo placeholder: Before – bare garage studs. After – Knauf insulation batts fitted between studs, ready for drywall.]
A homeowner near Bixby Knolls was turning his garage into a home office and needed both temperature control and a break from the neighbor’s leaf blower orchestra. We fitted Knauf fiberglass batts between every stud cavity, cutting precisely around outlets and the window framing so there were no gaps for sound to sneak through. The space now stays comfortable and quiet enough for eight straight hours of calls.
Want Results Like These?
Every one of these projects started the same way: a phone call, a walkthrough, and a written price before any work began. No surprises, no pressure. If you’re ready to fix the hot rooms, cold floors, or drafty corners in your Long Beach home, call (562) 471-3972. A live person answers, day or night.
Written by Neil Barron, Owner at Thistledown Insulation Long Beach, serving Long Beach since 2003.