This is the first winter in my new house and the coat closet is incredibly cold. You can feel the cold area falling from the overhead light.

Here a the picture of the ceiling light box. This is the only access to the area above the ceiling drywall. The roof above this closet is flat and there is no attic access.

Is there a way to insulate or seal this area without making more holes in the ceiling? Or does anybody have any ideas on how to deal with this?

Thanks in advance!

If you think it's just an issue with the ceiling not being insulated (and the walls are fine) then you could fur down the ceiling with 2x4 (or 2x6s if you want more insulation) and use batt/rockwool/foam to insulate your new cavity. Then cover with drywall and texture/paint.

The closet is in the corner of the house. Two of the walls of the closet back up to brick exterior walls. I don't know if there is insulation in those walls.

I'm horrible at drywall and texture so I'm trying to do this with a minimum of that.

TexAg1987 said:

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If you are going to do that much work, pull down the sheetrock and insulate above and reinstall.


How much else is below this inaccessible flat roof? Probably have the same issues.
Looks like you are getting mold under the light fixture for the same reasons.

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There is a bunch of area below this roof. Probably a third of the square footage of the house. There doesn't seem to be a problem in the rest of the area.

Maybe this is a case of the walls not insulated?

Probably just poorly insulated above the ceiling in the corner.

Can you remove the electrical box? If so, maybe you could stuff more insulation above the sheetrock thru the hole.

TexAg1987 said:

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Probably just poorly insulated above the ceiling in the corner.

Can you remove the electrical box? If so, maybe you could stuff more insulation above the sheetrock thru the hole.

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That was my first thought. I'll try it this weekend and see how it goes.

Can you take a picture of the whole ceiling closet

I may have an idea dor you

This is where my head went - make a bigger hole - insulate as best you can, then cover it up with a larger fixture - best bang for your buck in terms of labor and materials.

Sorry for the delay in replying. I do have a very good reason.

Not going to post the details, but my daughter had a beautiful, wonderful, 10+lbs, baby boy this weekend. Mom is doing well after a marathon pregnancy and delivery. Dad is grinning from ear-to-ear and helping Mom at every turn. Big Brother is a bit confused as to why Baby Brother isn't able to play catch yet.

And the grandparents are over the moon!

Back to the topic of the cold closet:

Here are videos and a picture so you can see what I'm talking about. The interior of the closet is 26" by 62".

I shut off the power to the light in the closet and nudged the light box to the side of the hole. The light box was not attached to anything. The hole was just big enough for my phone at some angles.

There is no insulation above the closet. The area over the closet is framed in so I can't see into the rest of the attic. The only thing above the closet attic is the flat roof. This part of the house is at least 16 years old, but probably older.

I'm going to -at least- replace the light box with one of those blue old-work boxes so it will be fixed to something up there.

I need some insulation up there but Home Depot doesn't sell the tiny package of insulation I need for this project.

DIY experts of TexAgs, what do you suggest?

Thanks for your help and ideas!

Okay here is what you do
Pull shettrock down
Buy the new cannlights. They are pop in. 4 inch or 6 inch

I think HD sells a small roll of insulation

Install sheetrock Oh cut sheetrock 1/2-3/4 short of measurements
Trim with 1x2 or decorative trim

Paint. No texture needed


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If you want to text me. I can walk you thru this

Wait. Where are you located if in BCS I can give you everything you need I have scrap sheetrock and open bags of insulation

Thanks so much Maddiedou for the directions! I'll give it a try later this week.

I'm way down in Galveston so I can't take advantage of your offer of materials. I'll check around here for a source of small amounts of materials.