| Believe it or not you lose a lot of heat | | | | and touching the sub floor. Don't compress |
| through your floor during the winter months | | | | the insulation as it will lose its R value. |
| and on the reverse end of things you can gain | | | | Once the insulation is in place staple the |
| unwanted heat during the summer months. You | | | | twine across the floor joists, back and forth |
| can save money each year by insulating your | | | | about every 12 inches. Make sure all water |
| floor. This is a home improvement must that | | | | pipes not covered by the batts get insulated. |
| is often overlooked. | | | | The easiest way is to use insulated sleeves. |
| | | | You can find them at any home improvement |
| To insulate the sub floor you will need: | | | | store. |
| | | | |
| * R-19 Kraft Faced Insulation Batts | | | | Finally, you need to lay down ground cover. |
| | | | Make sure all debris is removed and carefully |
| * Staple Gun with Staples | | | | lay down the visqueen. Also make sure it is |
| | | | extended up about 6 inches along the |
| * Polypropylene Twine | | | | foundation walls and the entire ground area |
| | | | is covered. |
| * Six-mil black opaque polyethylene sheeting | | | | |
| (also know as visqueen). | | | | Here's how you install the perimeter |
| | | | insulation: |
| To insulate the exterior perimeter you will | | | | |
| need.: | | | | Perimeter insulation is installed on the |
| | | | foundation walls. It is mainly used when |
| * R-10 foam board to cover the foundation to | | | | there isn't enough space under the floor to |
| the below-ground level. Make sure it has | | | | properly install insulation. It is also used |
| moisture absorption rate of about 3 percent | | | | for homes built on concrete slab. I recommend |
| or less. It should also have perm rating of 2 | | | | if at possible to go with installing |
| or less. Your local home improvement store | | | | insulation to the sub floor if possible as |
| should have what you need. | | | | installing perimeter insulation is more time |
| | | | consuming. You'll need to dig a trench about |
| * Metal Z flashing to extend around your | | | | a foot deep depending on the frost line in |
| house between the foundation and the siding. | | | | your area making sure not to go below the |
| This can be found at your home improvement | | | | footings of the foundation. Once completed, |
| store or maybe a sheet metal company. It is | | | | be sure to clean the foundation and remove |
| used to prevent moisture damage. | | | | all debris. |
| | | | |
| * You should also use a fire retardant such | | | | Next you'll want to use the foam board |
| as cement board. | | | | measured from the bottom of the siding down |
| | | | to the bottom of the trench you have dug. Use |
| * Six-mil black opaque polyethylene sheeting. | | | | mastic adhesive to secure the foam board by |
| | | | applying it to the foundation walls |
| Here's how you install it the insulation to | | | | horizontally every 12 inches or so. For |
| your sub floor: | | | | vents, pipes, electrical wiring and other |
| | | | obstructions you will have to cut around them |
| Make sure your crawl space is well | | | | as not to have them covered. Firmly apply the |
| ventilated. You should have several | | | | foam board to the foundation walls. Try not |
| foundation vents to provide cross | | | | to leave any sizable gaps and make sure it's |
| ventilation. Check for insects such as | | | | fitted against the flashing. Using a staple |
| carpenter ants or termites and also check for | | | | hammer attach the polyethylene vapor barrier |
| dry rot before you begin. If you have these | | | | to the entire area of the foam board. Finally |
| problems I suggest you contact a professional | | | | cover the trench with soil. |
| before you begin. | | | | |
| | | | That's it. This project will take a day or |
| Make sure you wear a mask, goggles and | | | | two, depending on the size of your floor or |
| protective clothing (coveralls are a good | | | | foundation. You will find that it will be |
| idea). Push insulation up between the joists | | | | well worth your time and you will enjoy your |
| making sure the paper side is away from you | | | | savings! |