Should I Insulate Floor Over Crawl Space

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.

Should i insulate floor over crawl space.

There are two types of crawl spaces ventilated and unventilated and each requires its own form of insulation. This type of insulation allows for conditioned air to be introduced into the crawl space. The goal however is the same. Insulation also helps to preserve the air quality and reduce energy costs.

Fiberglass insulation on the floor joists in a crawl space will help keep the floor above warm. To enclose the space in a thermal envelope. Department of energy recommends r 11 3 insulation under floors in warm climates and an r 25 6 to 8 in cold climates. Should i insulate the floor over my dirt crawl space.

However the insulation needs to be treated with a fire retardant. Without insulation heat and cool air are easily lost through the floor. An insulation contractor can calculate the ventilation your crawl space needs and will cut in new vents as required. Insulation of foundation wall and floors above many crawl spaces are built without any insulation in them.

When insulation is installed it is most commonly found between the floor joists to prevent the crawl space air from entering through the floors above. The idea is to condition the crawl space much in the same way that you might condition other parts of your home. Rather than trying to cut off the crawl space from the conditioned upper floors you should bring the crawl space nearer to upper floors temperatures by leaving off the underfloor insulation and by sealing the crawl space against outside moisture and temperatures. It will also help to stop that echo that can be heard when you walk on the floors suspended over 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. However in a moist ventilated crawl space this insulation will eventually rot and become soaked with moisture this will cause it to fall off the ceiling and on to the floor. Holes for electrical wiring and plumbing should be sealed with spray foam insulation. If you are thinking of insulating the floor over a dirt crawl space we recommend you think about the long term of what you will be doing with the crawl space if you plan to encapsulate the crawl space your insulation procedure may be different than if you are.

People ask me all the time if insulation is necessary in the crawl space.