Insulating the roof/joists of your float center…

Basically, what you’re trying to do here to create an envelope around your space. You’re trying to create a barrier between a conditioned environment (your float room) and an unconditioned environment (open air). This can become slightly difficult when you’re working above your float rooms.

We’ve never experienced it; but, the drastic temperature change between your float rooms and an outside environment could create a scenario where moisture build up can occur and gather inside your walls/ceiling, toward the top of your property.

Of course, moisture build up will lead to mold and, potentially, property damage.

Spray-in insulation is often a good fix for this. The question of whether to use open cell or closed cell spray-in is up for debate. People that love one over the other swear by them.

Closed cell (as the name implies) is less permeable which means less moisture is able to make it through. At Float On, we used open cell spray-in. We didn’t use it for the vapor barrier and temp barrier properties, although those were awesome benefits. We used it to dampen noise from our neighbors.

Open cell spray-in has a higher sound proofing factor than closed cell. It’s just that, though… open cell. Moisture is theoretically able to pass through it. All in all, spray-in insulation is nice because it’s able to adhere to the underside of your roof with no gaps, essentially creating a complete barrier.

There are more options outside of spray in insulation.

One is standard paperback insulation, but my main issue with it is that if moisture ever does develop, mold seems to do well growing within it. We’re pretty big fans of stone wool insulation. Manufacturers of stone wool market it as not providing an environment conducive to mold.

Long story, short… it’s probably prudent to cover the roof and joists with spray-in. Especially if you’re in a region that experiences drastic seasonal temperature fluctuations over the year. Of course, the decision is up to you. It’s always hard to throw money into leasehold improvements, especially when you’re not sure if there would be an issue to begin with.

On the other side of the coin, you’ll probably be at your location for years to come. Discovering you have black mold up in your ceiling, destroying your very expensive soundproofing, could lead to serious and costly renovations down the road.

We like to say that being thorough during your construction is some of the cheapest insurance you can get, since you only have to pay for it once.

If you would like to dive into deeper detail about insulation or float center construction in general, just let us know. We’re always available to help with small questions, and we have several consulting packages for larger projects.

– Jake Marty