Calhoun County seat
Spray Foam Insulation in Marshall, MI
A city known for its 19th-century houses.
- Free estimates after we measure on site
- Each area priced with its material, depth and R-value
- Leaks, damp wood and old wiring pointed out before we insulate
Insulating 19th-Century Houses Carefully
Spray Foam Insulation in Marshall has to fit around some of the oldest and most carefully kept houses in the state. Marshall was founded in 1830 by land surveyor Sidney Ketchum, incorporated as a village in 1836 and a city in 1849, and is the Calhoun County seat. The Marshall Historic District, a National Historic Landmark District, includes more than 850 buildings, among them the Honolulu House, and the National Register keeper once called Marshall a "virtual textbook of 19th-Century American architecture."
What old houses need
Houses from the 1800s often have balloon framing, plaster on wood lath, deep but empty walls, and attics that were never meant to hold insulation. Some have stone foundations. The goal is to make them warmer without damaging what makes them worth keeping.
We start in the attic, sealing the open tops of wall cavities and other bypasses and then adding insulation to depth while keeping the eaves vented. The rim and sill on old foundations are often uneven, and spray foam follows those irregular surfaces well. Walls can be dense-packed with cellulose from inside or under lifted siding, so the outside of the house looks the same.
Moisture in old walls
Old walls tolerate a lot because they can dry out. Before we fill them, we check gutters, flashing, paint and siding for leaks, since a wall that gets wet and can no longer dry is a problem. If there are issues, we point them out first.
Housing
The 2020 census counted 3,363 housing units in Marshall, 8.7% vacant, with a population of 6,822.
Mid-century and newer homes
Not every Marshall home is historic. Ranches and two-stories from the 1950s on, along the edges of town, get the usual mix: attic sealing and blown-in to depth and closed-cell foam on the rim joist.
Call (269) 256-1613 or book a visit and we will look at your Marshall home. Get a free estimate
What to Know in Marshall
- Historic district. The Marshall Historic District, a National Historic Landmark District, has more than 850 buildings, including the Honolulu House (Wikipedia).
- Founding. Founded in 1830, incorporated as a village in 1836 and a city in 1849; the Calhoun County seat (Wikipedia).
- Housing. 3,363 housing units at the 2020 census, 8.7% vacant; population 6,822 (Wikipedia).
- Code zone. Calhoun County is in Climate Zone 5A (OpenEI).
Marshall Questions
Can you insulate a historic Marshall house without changing how it looks?
Yes. Dense-pack cellulose goes in through small holes from inside or under lifted siding, and attic and rim work is out of sight.
Is spray foam safe for old houses?
In the right places, such as the rim joist and some attic areas, yes. We avoid trapping moisture in old walls and check for leaks first.
Do I need permission from the historic commission?
Interior insulation usually does not change the exterior, but rules vary. Check with the city if work touches the outside of the house.
What should I do first in an 1800s house?
Seal and insulate the attic, then the rim and sill, then consider the walls.
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