Insulation

Incorporating crawl space insulation into a comprehensive home air sealing and insulation program can significantly improve the overall energy efficiency of your home's structure. A poorly insulated floor can easily lose heat and cool air through the floor, resulting in uncomfortable temperatures. Insulation also aids in the preservation of air quality as well as the reduction of energy costs.  

When it comes to the encapsulation process, does insulation come into play?

The encapsulation of your crawl space will prevent further damage from occurring if you do have a crawl space with leaks. It is an extension of the insulation process in which the material is encapsulated and protected. It makes it possible, in particular, to implement waterproofing solutions that will keep your crawl space dry and protected.

In order for a crawl space that has been encapsulated to be properly insulated, it must be sealed.

When a crawl space has been encapsulated, it is not necessary to insulate the space. In order to help keep the crawl space warm and dry, insulation can be installed between joists or on the walls of the crawl space, as needed. In crawl spaces that are not vented, it is recommended to install insulation between the joists. If the crawl space is encapsulated, either of these options can be used; however, we recommend insulating both the block walls and the walls themselves in order to maximize energy efficiency.

What type of insulation should I use in my crawl space? I'm not sure what to use.

The most commonly used type of insulation for crawl space walls is expanded polystyrene foam board, which is two inches thick and available in a variety of colors. It is possible to insulate any type of masonry wall with rigid foam insulation, including concrete and block walls as well as brick and stone walls. The crawl space can be protected by wrapping the insulation in silver foil and orienting the foil so that it faces inward toward the insulation.

When it comes to crawl space insulation, the best method to use is one that has a dirt floor, according to experts.

For this problem, the most effective solution is to install a polyethylene vapor retarder over the dirt floor of your crawl space. It is possible to ensure that it is completely secure by carefully sealing all of the seams together.

Can you tell me what I can do to keep the insulation in my crawl space from deteriorating?

In order to prevent heat loss through radiation, thermal barriers must be used in conjunction with strong reflective tapes to seal seams against air movement, both of which are advantageous. Other types of insulation may be damaged by water, lose their R-value, compress, or fall out of place in crawl spaces and basements, making this type of insulation the best choice for these applications.