When insulating a house, the crawl space should not be overlooked. A crawl space with small holes and openings can drain a substantial amount of heat from your home or allow cold air to seep in through the floors. In either case, your energy consumption and heating bills can skyrocket without proper insulation.
When insulating a house, the crawl space should not be overlooked. A crawl space with small holes and openings can drain a substantial amount of heat from your home or allow cold air to seep in through the floors. In either case, your energy consumption and heating bills can skyrocket without proper insulation.
Sprayed Foam Insulation
Sprayed foam insulation is a relatively new alternative to the standard fiberglass batts that you may be used to, and it may be a better option for many reasons. Sprayed foam is applied as a liquid that contains a foaming agent, which means that, unlike the rigid panels of fiberglass or solid foam, it does not involve the labor of precise sizing and cutting before you apply it. It can be difficult to ensure complete insulation with solid panels, because they have to fit perfectly in order to eliminate chinks and holes where heat can escape. The sprayed foam does not have this problem. Another advantage of sprayed foam is that it doubles as an air barrier, which makes it a great option for a non-ventilated crawl space. This dual function also gives sprayed foam insulation a higher R-value, meaning efficiency of insulation, than fiberglass or solid foam.
Cellular Glass
Cellular glass is a great option for insulating your crawl space. Crushed glass and a cellulating agent are mixed and heated to over 900° Fahrenheit, and the cooling process results in a very rigid and sturdy insulating layer. The rigid structure differs from liquid insulation in that it does not absorb moisture. This is a big plus for insulating a crawl space, because insulation that becomes damp tends to compress and then functions much less effectively. Another important feature of cellular glass insulation is that it is completely flame retardant. If fire makes its way into a crawl space, especially a ventilated one, it is likely to spread quickly. A fire-retardant insulation like cellular glass greatly reduces the risk of this danger. The crawl space is also vulnerable to rodents and other pests that make their homes in insulation, but the rigidity of the cellular glass helps keep them out.
Fiberglass Insulation
Fiberglass insulation, whether in a roll or batt form, is a time-tested and effective way to insulate a crawl space. The great advantage of fiberglass insulation, as opposed to comparable types of insulation like cellular glass, is cost efficiency. Fiberglass insulation is a mixture of recycled glass and sand and, like other glass-based insulators, it is flame retardant. Fiberglass insulation also does not absorb moisture, so it maintains effectiveness even in a damp, ventilated crawl space. Environmental friendliness is also a factor when it comes to fiberglass insulation, as most brands are now around 40 percent recycled glass.
