Crawlspace Insulation Experts
Why Is My Floor Cold?
Are your floors cold but the air in your house is humid? It may be due to a non-insulated crawlspace. Insulating your crawlspace is a great way to lower your energy bills and keep your feet warm in the winter. It can also help reduce mold and wood rot, and also prevent the invasion of termites and carpenter ants. Rest assured, ’58 Foundations & Waterproofing has the insulation solution for you!
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Crawlspace Insulation Solutions
Select a topic below to learn more
Taking A Look At Your Crawlspace
Moving Away From Vents
Crawlspace Insulation – Key To The Solution
Other Crawlspace Considerations
Taking a Look at Your Crawlspace
A crawlspace is the area beneath your home that is not livable. It can be anywhere from 2 to 10 feet in height, but it is typically around 3 to 4 feet. A crawlspace is different from a slab foundation or a full basement in that it is defined by an unfinished dirt floor. This space offers builders an area for plumbing, wiring, ductwork, and heating or cooling equipment.
For decades, crawlspaces were built with vents to the outside so that air could circulate throughout. Most building codes required such ventilation. However, over time, studies have shown that a crawlspace that is closed—meaning one that doesn’t allow the inward migration of exterior air—is better for the home and healthier for you.
Moving Away from Vents
Vents allow moisture to flow into the crawlspace, particularly in hot, humid climates. This moist air condenses on the wood framing, leading to mold growth and mildew. As warm air rises in your home, over 50% of that air comes from this damp, moldy area. If there is HVAC ductwork down there that is colder than the ambient air, you can get condensation and “rain” in the crawlspace. In the wintertime, air from the outside cools the floor and makes it cold to the touch—this in turn will encourage you to use more heat in order to compensate and warm the house. But you shouldn’t have to be spending more on heat than you have to.
Builders have tried a variety of innovative measures to improve the air quality and efficiency of the crawlspace, but they soon determined that sealing the vents not only avoided moisture problems, but it also made homes generally healthier and more comfortable.
The Solution: Crawlspace Insulation
Sealing and closing the crawlspace is only the first step. Maintaining a consistent, moderate temperature is the key to cutting your heating costs. Crawlspace insulation can help you achieve this—and you’ll be able to enjoy a warmer floor as a result.
There are two basic types of crawlspace insulation—fiberglass batting and foam board. Each is designed to reduce the temperature differential between your home and the crawlspace. ’58 Foundations & Waterproofing is experienced at installing both!
Fiberglass batting is a more traditional and less expensive approach. This type of crawlspace floor insulation is placed between the floor joists at an “R” value appropriate for your geographic location—this is typically an R19. When properly affixed, the batting can offer significant protection and has more R-value per cubic inch than foam board. However, if the crawlspace dirt floor remains uncovered (not encapsulated), moisture may infiltrate the batting over time until it pulls away and requires replacement.
’58 Foundations & Waterproofing recommends stiff 2-inch-thick foam board, an alternative to traditional batting. This rigid material is cut to fit and is mechanically fastened to your foundation walls around the entire perimeter. 2-inch foam board meets today’s building codes, remaining viable and water/moisture resistant for 100 years.
Closed cell spray foam is a third option. It can be sprayed onto your crawlspace foundation walls to a depth of 2-inches.
’58 Foundations & Waterproofing experts will inspect your crawlspace to determine what option is best for you.
Other Crawlspace Considerations
While crawlspace insulation is a critical element in the management of your home’s heating and cooling efficiency, it works best in combination with crawlspace encapsulation and dehumidification.
Not only should your crawlspace be insulated against variations in temperature, but it also needs to remain dry. By encapsulating the open dirt floor with a 20-mil thick, class A poly-woven vapor barrier, you can reduce the moisture present in your crawlspace. This can help prevent mold and wood rot in your floor joists. Humidity is further reduced and maintained at a comfortable level with the installation of a dehumidification system. This system keeps the humidity level below 50%, preventing the growth of mold, which requires a humidity of 60%.
