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