Insulating a crawl space (subfloor, roof, dehumidifier, foundation)
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Like many homes in my area, the crawl space is not insulated but we would like to get it insulated. I know the termite companies do not recommend using batting insulation. Is spray foam the best option? Any other options we should look into?
I know the termite companies do not recommend using batting insulation.
I think you have that backwards- spray foam on the sills and band can hide termite activity- if you have batts they can be easily re/moved for inspection. Encapsulation is using foam- it’s just applied in a very direct manner with stringent criteria along with a vapor barrier/sealed perimeter/circulated air/and an entirely exposed floor system- in very layman terms.
There are two types of spray foam. Each has advantages/disadvantages, choose accordingly.
Open cell foam can soak up water, much like a sponge.
Closed cell foam is what I have in my crawl space encapsulation, and on the under roof deck of the attic....it seals cracks (blocks air transfer) as well as providing an R value of about 7 per inch of applied foam, and does not soak up water. Both my crawl space and attic have become semi-conditioned space, within the whole house envelope, with the goal of encapsulating the basement at some point for total encapsulation.
I would like to point out something about insulation.
The idea behind insulation is to keep the heat from escaping. You see heat goes from hot to cold and not the other way around.
You can't keep the cold out unless there is some heat there to begin with.
Eventually the insulation will freeze and all you will have is a giant filter.
You see that's the idea behind insulating a hot water pipe. It keeps the heat from escaping into the air and even a cold water pipe has some heat in it or it would freeze. So insulate that as well.
But the whole crawl space? If you are going to insulate it try to provide some type of heat like an electrical heat cable connected to a thermostat and block any cracks you can see to prevent the heat from escaping.
What would you recommend? We don't have any cracks that I know of, but it's just subfloor and then wood floor on top of that. In the crawl space is the pressure tank for the well and plumbing. No hvac under there. We use heat cables to keep pipes from freezing and use a halogen light and sometimes space heater for the pressure tank.
What are you hoping to accomplish by insulating? Do you want to create a conditioned space to address wood flooring issues or for storage use? Are there mold or moisture concerns?
In general, batt insulation doesn't do well in a crawl space. If it's up under the floor it can hold moisture, which causes rot and mold. It can also harbor insects and rodents.
Closed cell spray foam is a much better option. The choice is whether to do the perimeter walls or just under the floor above.
Encapsulation includes covering the dirt floor with an impervious liner and sealing foundation vents as well. It's the gold standard (both in performance and price), and may also require a dehumidifier and/or sump pump depending on the local conditions.
What are you hoping to accomplish by insulating? Do you want to create a conditioned space to address wood flooring issues or for storage use? Are there mold or moisture concerns?
In general, batt insulation doesn't do well in a crawl space. If it's up under the floor it can hold moisture, which causes rot and mold. It can also harbor insects and rodents.
Closed cell spray foam is a much better option. The choice is whether to do the perimeter walls or just under the floor above.
Encapsulation includes covering the dirt floor with an impervious liner and sealing foundation vents as well. It's the gold standard (both in performance and price), and may also require a dehumidifier and/or sump pump depending on the local conditions.
The main thing we are wanting to accomplish is being able to heat the home better. or hold the heat in better in very cold weather. It's a cedar log home, footprint is 1300 sq ft split level.
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