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Your finances can be seriously strained by high heating and cooling costs. This is especially true if your climate is cold and blistering during the winter. Although insulation in your basement, ceiling, attic, and walls may be effective, there is a chance that your insulation scheme is weak. Your floors.
Heat loss is more common in older homes with suspended floors. Even older homes with concrete floors may not be as efficient as they could be. Floor insulation is a great place to start if you are considering home renovations and want efficiency.
Floor insulation can also be beneficial for new building projects. It is actually the best time to add insulation, as it’s the most cost-efficient. It’s quite affordable compared to other costs of building a house.
Continue reading to find out why floor insulation is important for renovations or new construction. Learn about R-values, insulation styles, and how to install them.
Why install new floor insulation?
Floor insulation is about efficiency and making smart decisions for your home or project. These are six reasons you should install floor insulation.
Floor insulation prevents heat loss through floors
Although insulation will not make your floors feel warmer, radiant heat will. However, properly installed insulation will reduce the amount of warm air that escapes through your floors.
Insulation can be used to keep you cool during the summer.
It is well-known that heat rises. You can keep your home warm by putting a barrier between your floor and the ground below you.
Insulation can dramatically reduce drafts.
This is especially important for homes with crawlspaces or that are above the ground. Insulation can prevent air from outside entering your home by filling any air gaps.
This will effectively create a moisture barrier between your floors and the outside world.
This is particularly important for natural hardwood floors. They are highly vulnerable to moisture changes. Insulating your floor boards can prevent them from staining or warping.
Insulation can be used to prevent pipes freezing during extremely cold winter nights.
Insulation can be added to protect your home from the cold if there is plumbing underneath the floors.
The floor insulation can be used to improve the insulation in spaces such as your garage or basement.
Full insulation and ductwork are the most efficient, but major renovations in utility areas that you don’t use often may not make financial sense. Floor insulation can be a cost-effective option that won’t break the bank.
When should I install new floor insulation?
It is a smart decision to add new floor insulation to your house. Many homeowners are curious if this type project should be done at a specific time of the year. Both yes and no.
The best time to insulate your home is when it is cool. This time of year marks the end of summer in many areas and the start of fall in others. However, it may vary depending on where you live. There are a few key benefits to installing insulation at the best time of year:
* Your home will be warm and comfortable while insulation is being installed.
* Insulation will be ready to keep your home warm during cold weather.
* Contractors and installers often find this time of the year to be most beneficial. The job can be made more difficult by the heat of mid-summer and longer by cold winters. Even if you plan to do all the work yourself, this season presents the least weather-related challenges.
If it is your only renovation, installing floor insulation in the region’s moderate seasons makes sense. This timeframe might not be applicable if your home is in the midst of a major remodel or if you are mid-way through a construction project.
This is because floor insulation should be installed before the floors are finished. For insulation to be installed in many spaces, flooring material must be removed from the space. This will increase the cost of your project. If possible, add insulation before you install your flooring material.
Understanding the R-Value of Your Region
R-Value is an acronym you have likely heard or seen when discussing insulation materials. R-Value is a measure of resistance to heat flow. Higher R-Value means more insulation power and less heat loss.
Your local climate will determine the R-Value needed to insulate your floor. Energy Star has a seven-zone system that helps homeowners and builders to determine the right R-Value for their project.
Below is a breakdown of R-Value recommendations to floor insulation according to zone.
- R-13: Zones 1 & 2
- Zone 3: R-25
- Zones 4 & 5: R-25 – R-30
- Zones 6 & 7: R-25 – R-30
Important to note that R-Value recommendations for zones four, five, six, and seven are similar. Zones six and seven, however, are more colder areas with extremely cold winters. This area is popular with homeowners and builders.
Zone four and five is where most homeowners and builders live. However, lower R-Values can provide a great balance between insulation cost and efficiency.
You need to understand R-Values in relation to your home. Energy Star has provided this map of the region.
Should I choose Underfloor or Underfloor-Covering Insulation for my Home?
Now you’re convinced that floor insulation could be beneficial for your home. You now need to decide where to place it. The ideal method for most homes is under floor-covering insulation or underfloor insulation in wellington. Although both methods have the same purpose, their installation is different.
Underfloor Installation
Underfloor installation refers to insulation that can be installed beneath your floor without removing wood planks or other floor coverings. This installation method requires access to your crawlspace. Insulation is relatively easy if you have access to a crawlspace under your floors.
Under Floor-Covering Installation
Under-floor insulation is often used in homes that do not have crawlspaces under their floors. You will need to take down your flooring and place the insulation to use this method. The mesh netting used to hold mineral wool and glass fiber insulation in place is usually placed before the floors are laid down. In some cases, foam insulation might be used.
Underfloor insulation is more costly and takes longer to install than underfloor insulation. If you have no other options, underfloor insulation can be a great way to reduce heat loss and remain cost-effective for builders and homeowners.
Flooring Insulation Materials
Generally, you will use one of two insulation types when insulating your floor: rigid foam insulation or fiberglass. When used as flooring insulation materials, these two materials offer unique advantages and disadvantages.
A professional is recommended to install flooring insulation if you don’t have years of DIY experience. You may be able to have a contractor guide you through the installation process and help you with more difficult aspects.
Even if you hire a professional, it is important to understand the differences between the various materials to make the best choice for your home. Below is a brief overview of the most common floor insulation materials.
Fiberglass Insulation
Fiberglass is a popular choice for builders and homeowners regarding floor insulation. These are the pros and disadvantages of fiberglass floor insulation.
Pros:
- Fiberglass is economical. Fiberglass can be half the price of rigid foam.
- Fiberglass is light. This can be a significant factor in DIY renovations.
- Fiberglass is easy to cut.
Cons:
- Fiberglass material can shrink over time, which makes it less efficient.
- This material will not protect against moisture well. This is an important consideration if you live or work in a humid climate. Fiberglass is not the best choice for hardwoods that are susceptible to warping.
- Protective equipment is required when working with fiberglass. Fiberglass is made up of many glass fibres so you will need to wear a respirator, safety clothing, and safety goggles to use it.
Rigid Foam Insulation
Another popular option for flooring is rigid foam insulation. These are the main pros and disadvantages of rigid foam insulation.
Pros:
- Rigid foam insulation will not compress or warp like fiberglass over time.
- Rigid foam resists moisture making it an excellent choice for floors such as natural hardwoods that are susceptible to warping, mold, or staining.
- Radiant heat flooring systems can be combined with rigid foam insulation. This will give you the most warm flooring underfoot.
Cons:
- Rigid foam can be up to 50% more expensive than fiberglass, and it is also more costly.
- Rigid foam is more difficult to work with than fiberglass because it is less flexible.
Insulating your floors can make your home more comfortable and help you save energy. Insulation can protect hardwood floors and other materials susceptible to warping or staining from moisture. The same protection applies to the plumbing underneath your floors.
Learn more about fiberglass and rigid foam floor insulation for your building or renovation. Contact us today to discuss your needs.
Our experts can help you choose the best insulation style for your project and get you the materials you need, whether hiring help or doing it yourself.
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