One of the best ways to keep a home comfortable and limit overall energy expenditures is to properly insulate the house. The better insulated a crawl space is, the less energy it will take to heat and cool the house. The insulation will also make it, so allergens will be less likely to get into the ventilation and spread through the house. This is why crawl space insulation service in Tacoma, WA is so important. The type of insulation necessary will depend on whether the crawl space is ventilated or not ventilated.
Having a ventilated crawl space was often recommended in the past because the ventilation was thought to help get rid of any extra moisture that could otherwise collect in the crawl space and lead to mold. Mold can cause people to feel sick. However, as long as a home has good exterior drainage and proper moisture control, it is now recognized that it may be better to close the vents after construction once the space has had time to dry out or to keep the crawl space unventilated. In ventilated areas, crawl space insulation in Tacoma, WA should be placed under the subfloor and be covered with a vapor barrier. It’s important to also insulate any water pipes or heating or cooling ducts as well as under the subfloor. Fiberglass insulation is one of the easier options to use in this type of space, but spray foam can be another alternative.
Non-Ventilated Crawl Spaces
When crawl spaces aren’t ventilated, the insulation should be located on the walls instead of below the subfloor of the room over the crawl space. Insulating the space in this manner makes it so there is less of a need to insulate all of the ducts and pipes as well. Putting a polyurethane vapor barrier on top of the dirt floor and then putting sand on top of it to limit damage to the barrier will help keep out moisture. Also, insulate the band joist. Just make sure that the space is airtight and there is an air barrier. Regularly check to make sure that the insulation isn’t becoming damaged due to pests, rodents or water.
