Best Types Of Floor Insulation

UNDERFLOOR INSULATION

There are  two significant advantages of spray foam insulation when there is sufficient access under the floorboards of the house or basement to allow for direct spray foam insulation to be sprayed in. Firstly, for both winter and summer climates, there is superior thermal efficiency.

There are several positive effects when you apply foam floor insulation. Effective insulation is provided no matter the season. Due to it’s uncanny ability to stop air flow which in turn stops heat from being lost, it eliminates all air gaps furthering it’s effectiveness of insulation keeping out damp moist air.

The home is kept with a minimal disturbance as it is very quick and simple to apply. Your living environment is protected from air below by the foam that has simply been sprayed between the joists to create a barrier.

Closed cell insulation is the preferred material to use for this type of application as opposed to open cell. Water vapour would travel through and get trapped between the insulation and the floor base if it was open cell. This undoubtedly would result in rotting of the sub-floor and the joists and inevitably dampness would seep into the house creating an ideal environment for molds to thrive in. Aesthetically this would warp and swell a finished floor.

UNDERFLOOR HEATING

When considering installing an underfloor heating system, closed cell spray foam is what is used in this application. Most of these systems use polystyrene boards.

These boards have to have a perfectly seamless installation in order to efficiently insulate. Any contractor will tell you that this is next to impossible , also if one of these boards are cracked from being stepped on, then the seal is broken and lost.

Spray foam has revolutionized this application as it is directly sprayed under the floor and around the in floor heating system. It’s impossible to “crack” this insulation, as it is in liquid form when sprayed, so it cures into the shape of it’s environment.

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STOPS AIR LEAKAGE AND DRAUGHTS

A superior thermal insulation barrier is created when sprayed with spray foam insulation underfloor. Providing amazing insulating performance and riding of any draughts as it completely fills cavities and cracks to form a barrier that adheres to the underfloor and building components. Spray foam does not disintegrate, settle or shoring once installed. It maintains it’s insulating abilities without losing efficiency or any loss of R-value throughout the life of the building, unlike other conventional insulating materials.

CRAWL SPACE UNDERFLOOR INSULATION

Crawl spaces are very different than a basement. Awkward and difficult to use for anything other than storage, crawl spaces rarely have windows and often have dirt floors instead of concrete slabs. HVAC equipment isn’t even typically housed in a crawl space. In cold climates, it does make sense to insulate the underfloor of a crawl space as it is often more energy efficient than insulating foundation walls. Sometimes it isn’t a matter of choice to insulate underfloors, especially in existing homes. Electrical, bridging, plumbing and ducts get in the way. You can’t just stuff the joists with fiberglass batts in hopes of long-term performance as the insulating material has to be able to resist the degrading effects of moisture.

FLOORS INSULATED ABOVE GARAGE

Insulating anything will always reduce your utility bills and add comfort. After the attic, crawlspaces and basements are the next best way to do so. Stone or brick walls have very little ability to resist the flow of heat, not to mention that they are riddled with air leaks found in vents, doors, windows and rim joists. %30 energy loss in the winter is from heat transferd to the basement due to inadequate insulation. Likewise, in the summer this will increase humidity levels in your home making your air-conditioning unit work more.

The underside of a floor is sometimes open to the elements. A porch is often enclosed but not insulated properly below. A cantilevered section of a home is also open all around. Or sometimes the floor is uninsulated or under insulated over an unheated garage. These cases there is no choice in the matter than to use underfloor insulation.

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