6 Reasons to Warm Up to Floor Insulation
Insulation projects are often focused on exterior walls and attics. While insulating these areas is essential, flooring insulation can also be a critical part of your house. Installing underfloor insulation can save money on their heating and cooling costs. This is especially true for homes without basements and those with unheated cellars. There is also the benefit of preventing your pipes from freezing and bursting if you live in a cold environment.
The type of floor insulation that is right for a given home depends on its design and climate control needs. However, most houses can benefit from added insulation under the floors of the main living space. Some underfloor insulation projects could fall into the do-it-yourself realm, but many will require the unique skills of a contractor who knows how to deal with moisture, ventilation, and air sealing.
If you’re still on the fence about floor insulation for your home, we invite you to explore the following benefits underfloor insulation can bring to your home.
1. It Eliminates Drafts
Underfloor insulation will help eliminate drafts in homes raised above the ground (those that have a crawlspace or are set on piers). These homes have multiple access points to the crawl space and ventilation openings. Installing underfloor insulation will prevent drafts from entering from the crawlspace into the house via gaps between the floor and the ground. Depending on the way home and flooring are built, you may benefit from one type of floor insulation over another.
Rigid Flooring Insulation
One type of flooring insulation is rigid. This type of flooring insulation is placed between the floor joists to eliminate any empty space. The contractor would need to cut the panels to fit tightly and caulk the areas between the insulation and joists. The caulking is necessary because the wood expands and contracts based on temperature and moisture. Rigid floor insulation works best in homes with open joists and open crawl spaces because it can cover large areas efficiently and requires little to no specialized equipment.
Spray Foam Flooring Insulation
If your floor joists are enclosed like in a basement, the contractor can spray foam insulation into the space. This underfloor insulation accounts for changes in weather and moisture because it fills every gap. Underfloor spray foam insulation needs to be installed by a professional contractor. Due to its nature, installing spray foam requires specialized equipment and the correct PPE (personal protective equipment) for the installer.
Other options are also available, but rigid and spray floor insulation are two of the most common types used. The other types of underfloor insulation may need additional equipment to prevent moisture buildup. Some forms of insulation, such as batts, may do more harm than good in this given situation. A qualified contractor will be able to recommend the proper underflooring insulation for your home.
2. It Will Prevent Heat Loss
According to the show This Old House, underfloor insulation will help the house retain heat, but it will not necessarily make the floor warmer by itself. Homeowners expecting to have a heated-floor effect after insulating beneath the surface will be disappointed. Hot air rises. Therefore, the cold air outside the house will make the insulation colder than the interior but not your floor.
Underfloor insulation will, however, prevent heat loss. Flooring Insulation impedes fluctuations in temperature and will maintain your home’s climate consistent while using less fuel. More than 10 percent of an average home’s heat is lost through the floor. through the floor. This percentage can be much higher depending on your home floor’s material. By preventing this heat loss with underfloor insulation, homeowners will see an energy bill savings of at least 10 percent.
3. It Will Create a Vapor Barrier and Reduce Moisture
Although wood floors are beautiful, they are especially susceptible to moisture. Moisture is the natural enemy of any wood product because it will twist, warp, and bulge as water is absorbed. Installing a layer of flooring insulation between the floor and crawl space helps create a vapor barrier, preventing moisture from creeping in and soaking the wood floor. Underfloor insulations in panels or rigid corners are the best option for creating a complete barrier.
Before installing any underfloor insulation, consider hiring a reputable contractor. A contractor specializing in floor insulation will check for moisture in the crawl space and recommend the best underfloor insulation for your home.
4. It Will Help Keep Pipes From Freezing
Homes located in climates where temperatures reach below freezing are susceptible to pipes freezing and bursting. In homes located in those climates with piping running under the floor, installing floor insulation provides extra protection. The underfloor insulation will act as a barrier from the freezing winds and help maintain the floor and pipes at a steady temperature.
In colder climates, another option is to seal off the crawl space and insulate the exterior walls rather than the floor. This is more expensive and labor-intensive because it requires considering other variables, such as managing moisture levels through adequate venting.
5. It’s Cheaper Than Insulating Uninsulated Spaces
Underfloor insulation could be cheaper than insulating an entire space for residences with an unheated basement or a room above an unheated garage. Flooring insulation will require the installer to make the underflooring insulation air-tight by caulking between the joists and insulation.
In contrast, insulating entire spaces will require the whole area to be air-tight, including windows and walls. Additional consideration must be given to moisture levels, and vents must be installed throughout to help moderate moisture through air circulation. This type of insulation could be significantly more complex and expensive and an underfloor insulation installation.
6. It Will Help in the Summer, Too
Aside from controlling the moisture in your main living spaces, insulating beneath raised floors and between the first floor and basement can help control interior temperatures in warm months. This echoes scientific concept that “hot air rises.” Especially in homes with a ventilated crawlspace, the floor can conduct hot air from outside into the conditioned interior. If it seems like your air conditioner is constantly running—this may be why. As with other insulation projects, the contractor needs to ensure that the insulation used can withstand moisture and that a complete barrier exists between the interior and exterior.
Are You Ready For Your Next Home Improvement? |
How to Fund an Underfloor Insulation Upgrade This Year
Ygrene offers property assessed clean energy (PACE) financing. A program that can help homeowners make energy-saving improvements with no money down. By leveraging their home equity, a property owner can immediately finance eligible upgrades, such as flooring insulation, and then pay for their improvement on their annual property tax bill. If planned correctly, some energy efficiency improvements can even pay for themselves, using any utility bill savings to make payments over the long term.
PACE can help you finance underfloor insulation, making your home more comfortable and energy efficient. Contact Ygrene at (855) 901-3999; info@ygreneworks.com to see if PACE is available in your area.
