Crawl Space Insulation Improves The Comfort In Your Living Space

The crawl space under your home affects the conditions in your living area. If your crawlspace has damaged insulation that's no longer effective, having new insulation put in could keep the temperature more comfortable in your home and control your power bills. An insulation contractor can recommend the best type of crawl space insulation for your home and climate. Here are a few points to know.

The Floor May Need To Be Covered Too

If your crawl space has a dirt floor, water vapor wafts up through the soil and increases the humidity in your crawl space. This can affect the type of insulation your contractor chooses. However, the problem with water vapor can be eliminated by covering the soil with plastic sheets that block the water vapor. This helps control the climate in your crawl space and makes the insulation more effective.

Your contractor may recommend encapsulating your crawl space too. This involves putting plastic sheets on the floor and walls to keep out moisture and hot and cold air. Encapsulating helps with insulation too, but it isn't always necessary when you want to add new insulation.

Fiberglass Insulation May Not Always Be Appropriate

Fiberglass insulation is popular since it's an affordable option, but it may not be the right choice if your crawl space is vented. A vented crawl space lets in moisture and increases condensation which can get the fiberglass damp and make it less effective. If you have a vented crawl space, your contractor may recommend insulation panels or spray foam.

Spray foam is the most expensive option, so you may prefer insulation panels. Also, vented crawl spaces usually have insulation applied to the ceiling to protect the floor above. A crawl space that isn't vented has insulation applied to the walls.

Building Codes May Apply To Crawl Space Insulation

It's good to work with a contractor when installing crawl space insulation so you stay in compliance with local codes. The local codes may specify the R-value needed for the insulation as well as the type of insulation you use. You may also need to condition the air in your crawl space when you make an improvement. This helps the space stay dry and involves connecting the space to your home's HVAC system.

If this is required, you'll want to make sure the crawl space is insulated well and has all leaks and gaps plugged. The contractor may use insulated panels as well as small amounts of spray foam to seal gaps around them.

To learn more information about crawl space insulation, reach out to a contractor near you.

Share