How To Insulate A Floor Above A Crawl Space

In this episode larry janesky ow.

How to insulate a floor above a crawl space. Cold air that sweeps through a crawl space meanwhile can lead to cold floors inside the home whether or not the space is wet. That doesn t mean it s a problem but it isn t needed. If as you say the floor is only dirt covered with a vapor barrier then there would be heat loss there. Crawl space insulation basics.

Insulation is to keep heat from moving from one place to another so if the crawl space is heated then the insulation is not needed. Floor insulation for moderate climes popular reads. When it s cold the floor areas directly above the crawl space may be cold and even uncomfortable to walk on with bare feet or in just socks. Department of energy recommends r 11 3 insulation under floors in warm climates and an r 25 6 to 8 in cold climates.

Remember up to 50 of the crawl space air can transfer into the living space. Many homes with crawl space foundations reveal basic signs of poor crawl space insulation. Stapling fiberglass batts between joists to the underside of your home s floor presents a number of problems. Insulation also helps to preserve the air quality and reduce energy costs.

In addition another sign of improper crawl space insulation is musty odors coming up from the space under the. A crawl space under a house helps protect against certain pests but a crawl space with abundant moisture can invite problems including mold wood rot and vermin. Where winter temperatures are extreme opt for insulating the walls and sealing off the crawl space entirely. Insulation on the dirt floor may be useful but in tennessee we find this not to be so.

In those days common building practice was to insulate the floor above the crawl space and to leave the crawl space s wall vents open so any moisture buildup would vent to the outside a. Get expert tips and advice on how to insulate a crawl space and the floor above it plus average costs. Fiberglass insulation batts or rolls are the most economical and easiest diy choice for insulating between the floor joist in a crawl space. You can also insulate the floor of the crawl space and the sub floor of the crawl space if you live in a cold environment.