Insulating the floor over a crawl space can reduce heating costs, particularly in colder climates, but it doesn’t provide as big a return on investment as insulating an attic or sealing cracks and gaps around your home.

But if insulating your floor is something you’re interested in, here are some things to keep in mind:

First, be sure to turn the paper facing on the insulation up toward the heated living space.

The paper facing acts as a vapor retarder, preventing moisture from passing through the insulation and potentially causing damage to the building structure or reducing the insulation’s effectiveness.

Having the paper facing turned toward the heated living space helps prevent condensation from forming and keeps your insulation in top shape. (Jason Finn via Canva.com)

Additionally, it usually has a flame-retardant coating that helps to improve the fire resistance of the insulation when facing the heated area.

A plastic vapor barrier prevents moisture from causing damage to the structural components and insulation of the building above a home’s crawl space. (MyrKu via Canva.com)

Secondly, use insulation support wires to hold the insulation in place. You don’t want it to sag or shift over time.

And finally, cover the ground in your crawl space with 6-mil-thick plastic. This will help reduce moisture problems under your home, and keep your floors and insulation dry and free from damage.

So, there you have it! Some quick tips on insulating the floor over a crawl space. I hope this helps you stay warm and cozy this winter season.

Watch the video above to find out more.

VIDEO TRANSCRIPT

Danny Lipford: Frank asks, “Do I really need to insulate my crawl space?”

While insulating your crawl space is not absolutely necessary, it will help a lot to minimize any of the moisture or temperature intrusions into your home. But to tell you the truth, it’ll take you a long time to get your money back on the money that you spend on insulating that crawl space.

Far better to spend that money in the attic making sure it’s insulated well, and sealing up the envelope of your home. But if you decide to put insulation in your crawl space, make sure you turn the paper toward the living space, so that you don’t create any type of moisture trap.

Now, moisture is a big problem in crawl spaces, so it is strongly recommended to put a moisture barrier right on the ground. You can use a 6-mil plastic, clear or black, then you can weight down the perimeter of it with some small bricks, gravel, sand, or just a little bit of dirt to keep it from blowing away.

This will prevent the ground moisture from migrating up into your home, which ends up costing you some money.


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Danny Lipford

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Danny Lipford is a home improvement expert and television personality who started his remodeling business, Lipford Construction, at the age of 21 in Mobile, Alabama. He gained national recognition as the host of the nationally syndicated television show, Today's Homeowner with Danny Lipford, which started as a small cable show in Mobile. Danny's expertise in home improvement has also led him to be a contributor to popular magazines and websites and the go-to source for advice on everything related to the home. He has made over 200 national television appearances and served as the home improvement expert for CBS's The Early Show and The Weather Channel for over a decade. Danny is also the founder of 3 Echoes Content Studio, TodaysHomeowner.com, and Checking In With Chelsea, a décor and lifestyle blog.

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