Last Updated on January 26, 2023 by teamobn
Many focus on insulating projects that focus mainly on attics and exterior floors. However, insulating spaces under floors also goes a long way in saving you money on heating and cooling costs. It can apply to homes with unheated cellars or have no basements as it can help in bringing down your heating costs.
You can also consider insulating your foundations, basements, or spaces between the first floor and the basement. It depends on the design of the house and the climatic conditions. Some of the underfloor insulation ideas are easy; you can do them. However, some require professionals who deal with ventilation, air sealing, and moisture.
Some of the reasons that necessitate the installation of floor insulation in your new build include the following:
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1. Prevent Heat Loss
Underfloor insulation helps the house retain heat and not warm the floor. The insulation prevents temperature change, requiring less energy to maintain your desired home temperature. Close to 10% of your home’s heat can be lost through the floor.
Before installing a floor insulator, homeowners should consider air quality, optimum R-values, and energy footprints. Insulation companies, ensure that you have the best quality insulations that fit your needs and are easy to reach through their website.
2. Eliminate Draft
With homes raised above the ground, installing underfloor insulation will help eliminate drafts. Insulating between the floor and the land will prevent drafts from entering these gaps.
One tactic for this is placing rigid panels between floor joists. Cutting them to fit tightly and caulking the spaces between the beams and insulation would be done by the contractor. Caulking is essential since the wood contacts and expands due to moisture and temperature. 
3. Reduce Moisture
Wooden floors tend to be vulnerable to factors such as moisture. Insulating the area between the crawl space and the base helps create a vapor barrier that prevents moisture from getting in to soak your flooring.
Insulation with rigid corners is best for creating complete barriers. To some extent, ventilation and drainage can also play a crucial role in moisture reduction.
Consider getting a professional to inspect for moisture-related issues before investing in floor insulation. Vapor barriers can play an essential role in benefitting a home with a damp basement.
Homeowners who rely on dehumidifiers to keep basements dry need to consider adding a layer of underfloor insulation to deal with the moisture.
4. Regulate The Freezing Of Pipes
To homes with pipes in basements, underfloor insulation adds a layer of warmth and protection. Homes in areas with freezing temperatures can experience pipes breaking or bursting when the water in them freezes.
Since pipes are mostly fixed in rarely inspected areas such as under the floor, homeowners do not see the probability of them freezing. Therefore, adding an insulation layer between the home’s floor and the pipes can lower the chances of these pipes bursting during freezing winters.
5. Cost Effective
Residences with unheated basements or rooms above unheated garages would be cheaper to install underfloor insulation rather than conducting ductwork. Therefore, installing floor insulation would not be costly when constructing your new home. Insulating pipes and other elements within your property after construction would be more expensive since more materials would be used in insulation by the insulating company.
Underfloor insulation would work well when the space is air-sealed. Air sealing is essential in keeping away contaminants such as moisture or car exhaust from getting into your living space.
6. Temperature Control
Insulating areas under raised floors or between the basement and the first floor can assist in controlling interior temperatures when the climate gets warmer. Homes with ventilated crawlspaces can have their floors conducting hot air from outside and into the interior, keeping your home cool.
7. Fire Resistance
Insulating your floor creates a barrier between fire and timber floor, which can be highly flammable. This barrier can help prevent fire from spreading within your home in case of an outbreak.
It’s also worth considering the type of material to install to get the fire-resistant properties. A good choice for this would be sheep wool insulation.
8. Warm Up Your Feet
Insulation does not always have to be about saving energy, but also about thermal comfort. Floor insulation works to ensure that the ambient temperature of your rooms is close to that of your floors, making it more comfortable as you walk over.
Combining underfloor heating with floor insulation would ensure that you have warmer floors, enhancing the comfortability of walking over them.
9. Reducing Energy Usage
Due to the temperature control aspect of the underfloor insulation, heat is retained within your home, thereby allowing you to maintain your air conditioners and heaters at low settings. Running your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system at low settings would help reduce the energy you use for these appliances.
By reducing your energy usage, you not only save money but also reduce your carbon footprint and greenhouse emissions.
10. Reduce Sound
Floors made of timber, which most homeowners use in flooring, can produce unwanted sound. Sound travels through timber-floored properties with ease. Acoustic floor insulation reduces this noise impact significantly by cutting out sound transfer between neighboring areas.
When installed on the ground, intermediate floors in separate flats or offices within the same property, or the first floor of any building, floor insulation creates a working or living environment that is more comfortable for you and your family.
Take-Away
When it comes to flooring your apartment or your new house, you have many options to select from. However, most flooring designs don’t feature insulation. An insulation plan for your flooring is essential when building up a house. It is because insulated flooring would ensure that your house is kept warm. It can also prevent issues related to heat loss or energy loss. Insulating your home would be ideal for your whole family because you are at home most of the time. The guide above outlines the benefits of installing floor insulation in your new build.
