PANAMA CITY Blog

A Guide to Insulating Crawl Spaces|Koala Insulation of Panama City|Pan

When you think of insulation, you might think of your attic or your wall cavities, which are typically insulated to retain warm air in the winter and cool air in the summer. For many homeowners in the South, however, an often-overlooked area is the crawl space, where cold or hot air can enter your home from the ground up and disrupt your HVAC system’s efficiency. In the following guide, find out more about how an insulation contractor can help with this issue.

Types of Crawl Space Insulation

Most insulation contractors offer a range of materials that can be used to insulate the crawl space. In addition to traditional rolled fiberglass or fiberglass batts, other options include rigid foam, blown-in, and wood fiber insulation. Of these, the most popular are rolled or batt fiberglass and rigid foam but blown-in insulation can be easier to install in difficult-to-reach areas under houses.

To determine which is best for your needs, look at the R-value. This is a metric that describes heat resistance, or how well an insulating material prevents heat from entering or leaving the house. In warmer regions, experts recommend selecting insulation with an R-value of at least R13 for uninsulated flooring.

How to Insulate Your Crawl Space

How you insulate your crawl space will depend on whether it’s ventilated or unventilated. In an unventilated space, you should insulate the foundation walls alone, whereas the ceiling should be insulated in a ventilated crawl space. Many insulation contractors recommend avoiding cellulose or fiberglass, as these can become saturated by water leaks or condensation and will lose their ability to resist heat transfer.

You can protect new insulation from water damage by extending your downspouts, cleaning the gutters, and sealing leaks in pipes below the floors. Although crawl space vents should be kept open during the spring and summer to allow air to circulate and minimize moisture buildup, it’s wise to seal them in the winter when cool air causes condensation to form on warm pipes and HVAC components.

When you’re ready to start insulating your crawl space, get in touch with Koala Insulation of Panama City in Florida. The insulation contractors at this family-owned and -operated company have offer a range of long-lasting insulation products to keep homes energy-efficient and comfortable throughout the year. Call (850) 387-0130 to request a free quote and visit them online for more information on their services.