Prepare for Winter Now – Insulate Your Crawlspace in the Summer

If you live in an older home, the chances are your crawlspace insulation is probably lacking. In older construction, the energy benefits of adding insulation in places like crawlspaces were not known, so many of these areas lack proper insulation – and some have none. But the benefits of adding insulation to your crawlspace far outweigh the negatives, and insulating your crawlspace in the summer will help you be ready for those chilly winter months to come.

According to the U.S. Energy Department, there are a few factors you need to take into consideration when insulating your home’s crawlspace. The first factor to consider is whether or not your space is ventilated. Most current building codes require vents to help remove moisture from the area in the instance that a home does not have proper moisture control and exterior drainage techniques in place.

If your crawlspace is not ventilated, the best ventilation technique is to seal and insulate the foundation walls with spray foam as opposed to the floor between the house and crawlspace. The advantage of this method? Keeping piping and ductwork within the insulated area, which will help keep pipes from freezing and cold air from infiltrating your ducts. If it is ventilated, then spray foam insulation on the floor between the house and crawlspace is the way to go.

Many times, the best choice for crawlspace insulation is foam insulation. The reason this is preferred is because it fills in the cracks, insulates thoroughly around pipes, and provides a moisture barrier that you won’t find with the traditional pink insulation. Crawlspaces, especially ones between the ground and the first floor of your house, can get pretty damp, and can be a nice home for insects and vermin. By filling in the holes and cracks with foam insulation, your crawlspace will not only be more energy efficient, but it’ll also likely be moisture and vermin free.

Summer is a perfect time to call Standard for your crawlspace insulation needs. For more information on how we can help, call Standard at  315-738-1424  and we will be happy to help you stay cooler in the summer – and nice and toasty all winter long.

About Jason Porter

Jason Porter is Vice President of Operations at Standard and has over 25 years in the insulation and construction industry. He is a BPI-certified energy auditor and is the company’s leading expert in insulation and energy efficiency for homeowners and renters and the Mohawk Valley and the Capital Region.