Underfloor Insulation—a Quick Guide on Making Your Home Energy Efficient
Picture this: It’s a chilly winter morning. You are ready to step out of bed and go about your daily routine. But you dread your feet touching the floor because of the icy chill. No matter how high you crank the HVAC systems, your apartment floors are never warm enough. The heat somehow escapes and leaves you shivering with a high utility bill.
So, what’s causing the discomfort? Is it just the low winter temperature? No. The culprit is poor underfloor insulation. Most homeowners hire insulation companies in St. Louis, Springfield, and other cities in Missouri to insulate their walls and roofs, but often forget about the most crucial section through which major heat loss happens: floors.
Underfloor insulation is often overlooked because of the upfront expenses and complexity, especially for homes with wooden floors. However, it can significantly reduce your energy bills by reducing your home’s energy use. In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about floor insulation so you can understand why it’s a smart investment.
Understanding the Types of Underfloor Insulation
Insulation in floors takes different forms and is made of various materials. Let’s explore the common types of insulation below.
EPS or XPS Sheets
Homeowners and insulation contractors widely prefer polystyrene, EPS, or XPS sheets for their durability and moisture resistance. Both offer sound insulation, but XPS sheets are more effective and cost more because of their denser structure and high R-value, which provide better air infiltration and water resistance.
Blanket
Available in batts and rolls, blanket insulation is made from plastic fiber, fiberglass, mineral wool, or natural fibers. It is a popular choice because of its easy installation and affordability, and is best for joist spacing and standard studs.
Loose-Fill
Ideal for irregularly shaped areas, loose-fill or blown-in insulation comprises particles of cellulose, mineral wool, fiberglass, or foam and can be easily installed by blowing the insulation in with a special tool.
Reflective Systems
As the name suggests, reflective systems, or radiant barriers, reflect surface heat and reduce summer cooling costs. They use reflective materials like plastic film, cardboard, foil-faced kraft paper, or polyethylene bubbles to block the heat from flowing downward, keep the floors cool on summer days, and reduce the use of HVAC systems.
Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs)
SIPs typically consist of insulated structural elements from liquid foam or insulation cores. Used in floors, walls, ceilings, and roofs, these are suitable for providing uniform insulation and saving energy usage.
Sprayed Foam
Typically made of polyisocyanurate, polyurethane, or cementitious foam, sprayed foam is used in attic floors to seal cavities and fill gaps to create a strong air barrier.
Choosing Insulation Based on the Floor Type and Climate
The effectiveness of your floor insulation will depend on your floor type. Look at the table below to understand your insulation needs.
|
Floor Type |
Materials |
Types of Insulation |
|---|---|---|
|
Basements and floors above unheated areas |
Closed-cell polyurethane foam, EPS, cementitious foam, and mineral wool |
Sprayed foam, rigid foam, and blankets |
|
Ground-level floors |
Mineral wool, XPS, EPS, and polyisocyanurate foam |
Reflective system, rigid foam, and blanket |
|
Upper floors and living spaces |
Fiberglass, natural fiber, and mineral wool |
Loose-fill, blanket, and rigid fiberboard |
|
Attic floors |
Reflective foil, fiberglass, polyurethane foam, and cellulose |
Spray foam, rigid foam, loose-fill, and reflective system |
The climate and the budget are also critical factors when choosing floor insulation. For example, in colder climates, you need strong thermal resistance to keep the floors warm and prevent mold growth. But in hotter climates, you need reflective barriers to prevent heat from penetrating the floors.
Remember that the budget varies by the material type and the complexity of the installation process. Consider upfront costs, such as material costs, and calculate the long-term savings and the return on investment to select the best insulation for your needs.
Conclusion
When it comes to making your home energy-efficient, it’s not just about insulating your walls and ceiling; your floors can save energy, too. Underfloor insulation efficiently reduces heat loss and makes your home a sustainable place to live in. So, invest now to enjoy the rewards of warmth and savings for years.
