Wood is an insulating material. However, it does not provide sufficient protection against moisture problems and cold air coming from the crawl space. Crawl spaces are also prone to water infiltration and the proliferation of mold and fungi. Hence the importance of insulating a wooden floor over a crawl space.
What are the advantages of insulating a wooden floor over a crawl space?
Located between the ground floor and the soil, crawl spaces can form service basements in buildings. These can allow cold air to pass through the wood and create thermal heat loss. Wood deterioration and water infiltration caused by excessive humidity are common problems in crawl spaces. This can contribute to the appearance and proliferation of mold in the building. Crawl spaces can also contain toxic gases such as radon. This is why it is important to insulate your wooden floor over a crawl space as soon as possible.
How to insulate a wooden floor over a crawl space?
Insulating a crawl space can be done in several different ways. If the crawl space is accessible, one method is to apply polyurethane foam to the ceiling of the crawl space. Another is to install insulating panels under the slab. If the crawl space is inaccessible, the most commonly used method is to blow in polystyrene beads.
The use of polyurethane foam
This insulation offers excellent thermal performance. It also blocks rising water and ambient humidity from the crawl space. This insulation can expand up to 50 times its original size. It is also an insulation that has no trouble reaching hard-to-access areas.
The installation of insulating panels
This technique is much more complex when the movements of the craftsmen are limited. Very precise cuts must be made to avoid creating thermal bridges between the panels.
The use of polystyrene beads
This insulation is used when the crawl space is inaccessible. It is durable and environmentally friendly. A low-pressure injector is used to blow the beads to fill the spaces.
About L’Artisan du Plancher
Insulating a wooden floor over a crawl space is an arduous task. To ensure that the work is done properly, it is better to call on professionals. They have the expertise and skills necessary to carry out quality renovations in your building. For over 3 generations, L’Artisan du Plancher has specialized in floor installation, floor repair and floor sales. We constantly improve our working methods to meet increasingly demanding deadlines while continuing to respect the highest industry standards. Learn more about installing wooden parquet as a sustainable investment. If you need to call on a professional for insulating your wooden floor over a crawl space, talk to us today. We will come to your residence as soon as possible.
