Whether you have a solid, timber, or concrete floor, lack
of proper insulation in a home’s floors can leave them cold, increase heat and
energy bills, and generally make a home less comfortable. Installing insulation
to your floors decreases heat loss from the floor into the ground and helps
your house become more energy-efficient.
However, floor insulation must be installed correctly to
yield optimal results. You should choose the right R-value based on your
climate and local building code regulations. An R-value of at least 13 for
underfloor insulation is recommended, according to the US Department of Energy.
How can you properly insulate your floors? In this
article, we discuss some of the best insulation options and methods for floors
to help you choose the right one.
Why Insulate Your Floors?
Floor
insulation is the process of insulating a floor by adding an insulation
material underneath your home’s floor joists or floorboards. Properly
insulating your floors offers several benefits to homeowners, including:
1. Stop Heat Leakage
Floor insulation is made of materials
that are highly effective at slowing down the flow of heat energy. Without
proper insulation, heat can easily escape through your home’s flooring
material. This makes it challenging to keep your building at a comfortable
temperature, especially if it is extremely hot or cold outside. Installing
insulation within your building helps slow down the transfer of heat, keeping
indoor temperatures more comfortable.
2. Reduce Energy Bills
On average, heating and cooling costs
account for around 46
percent of a home’s yearly energy bills.
Uninsulated floors cause the conditioned air to escape more quickly, wasting
the energy you’re spending your hard earned money on. Insulation helps your air
conditioning and heating system to function more efficiently and effectively,
helping you conserve energy and save on utility costs.
3. Decrease Moisture Damage
Most flooring materials, like
wall-to-wall carpets, hardwood, and cork are susceptible to moisture damage.
This can result in bigger problems such as mold and fungus growth. On the other
hand, insulating your floors with moisture-resistant and anti-microbial
insulation helps create a moisture barrier, stopping humidity from creeping
into your building. It forms a barrier that’s particularly advantageous for
houses with cold basements that lower temperatures indoors.
Effective Floor Insulation
Materials
Let’s
take a look at some of the best insulation materials that you can install in
your home.
1. Spray Polyurethane Foam Insulation
Spray polyurethane foam
insulation offers a quick and effective way of conserving energy and
maintaining a more comfortable temperature within your house. It forms an air
barrier that seals any openings and removes all air draughts. This effective
combination of air seal and insulation creates an excellent system in
comparison with other insulation materials or methods.
Even if there are any
cracks in the floors, spray polyurethane foam insulation can effectively
insulate them. That’s because the foam is sprayed on as a liquid and then
quickly expands into foam, filling all corners and crevices. As spray foam
insulation doesn’t sag, settle, or shrink, its effectiveness won’t decrease
over time.
2. Fiberglass Insulation
Fiberglass insulation encompasses
billions of tiny glass fibers that contain trapped air bubbles that slow down
the flow of heat. These fibers are joined together with a binding agent and
baked in an oven before slicing them into the right size and packaging them.
Fiberglass insulation is one of the
most common types of insulation because it can be installed easily. It is an
exceptional thermal insulator that also performs well as acoustic insulation.
However, the effectiveness of fiberglass insulation depends on its thickness
and R-Value.
3. Cellulose Insulation
Cellulose insulation contains
cellulose cells that have natural insulating power. It is composed of shredded
paper along with a fire-resistant chemical called borate. The paper is broken
down into cellular fibers that offer insulation. This kind of insulation has a
high R-value across all its types, making it very efficient in insulating your
home’s floors. Moreover, cellulose insulation creates an exceptional seal to
stop undesirable air leakage in or out of your home.
Manufacturers often make cellulose
insulation by combining recycled newsprint, denim, and other materials.
Therefore, it is an eco-friendly product to manufacture and discard. Plus,
there aren’t many chemicals used in making cellulose insulation that could
generate contaminants at any point in the insulation’s lifecycle.
Ensure Proper Floor Insulation with Superior Insealators
No matter what floor insulation material you choose, it
should only be installed by a fully qualified and licensed professional. Our
residential insulation experts know how to deal with moisture, air sealing, and
other aspects to make your home warm and comfortable.
All our products are GREENGUARD Certified, which means
they’re scientifically verified to meet some of the world’s most stringent
third-party chemical emissions standards. This helps to decrease the risk of
chemical exposure and indoor air pollution. With this seal of approval, you can
rest assured that the insulation we install in your house is environmentally
friendly and saves you money on your energy bills.
Request
a free estimate or call us at 1-866-295-2448 for immediate assistance.
