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What is the Best Insulation for Floors?

Now is an excellent time to improve your home’s energy efficiency. Especially if you want to feel more comfortable and lower your heating and energy bills. One way to achieve this is by adding insulation beneath your floorboards. Learning how to insulate under floorboards can help reduce heat loss into the ground, prevent drafts, and create a more energy-efficient home. You might wonder, what’s the best insulation for under floors? Read on to find out!

What is the Best Insulation for Floors?

Insulation regulates floor temperatures, which helps control room temperatures in summer and keep rooms warm during the cold winter. Floor Insulation is also the perfect solution to prevent drafts that may come through the house’s floorboards.

Types of Insulation Floors

Different types of insulation materials suit various floor types. Here’s an overview of the most common materials used for underfloor insulation:

Insulation Boards

Insulation boards or EPS sheets are made of expanded polystyrene. They are lightweight, rigid foam boards. EPS is one of the best-known floor insulation materials because:

  • EPS is easy to install
  • It has a high insulation value to prevent heat loss
  • Pressure-resistant, ensuring the floor will not crack or collapse

Polyurethane Spray

Polyurethane spray has one of the best thermal conductivity values out of all the floor insulation materials. It has an excellent solid seal and usually excludes holes or irregularities.

The advantages of spray foam insulation for floor insulation are:

  • Effectively resists heat transfer
  • Excellent sealing of gaps and holes
  • It can be used on various floor types
  • Provides sound insulation
  • Moisture resistant
  • Has the best thermal performance over other options

Insulating Screed

An insulating screed is a combination of cement and insulation material. The insulation material exists because of polystyrene granules with a 0.10 to 0.25-inch diameter. An insulation screed is usually combined with another material for a good insulation value.

Fiberglass

This type of flooring insulation is a popular choice for homeowners and builders. Fiberglass batts are an insulation material commonly used to improve energy efficiency and insulate unfinished walls, attics, and crawl spaces.

The main benefits of fiberglass insulation include:

  • Cost-effective – half the price of rigid foam insulation
  • Lightweight
  • Cutting the fiberglass is a relatively easy process

Rigid Foam Insulation

Rigid foam insulation is durable and resists compression over time. It also acts as a vapor barrier, making it an excellent choice for preventing moisture issues and protecting hardwood flooring from warping or mold growth.

Advantages of Floor Insulation

Floor insulation ensures your home has the average comfort temperature (20 degrees Celsius/68 Fahrenheit). A non-insulated floor usually has a temperature of around 11 degrees, while an insulated floor can increase the temperature to 20 degrees.

A study showed that the combination of ambient and floor temperature affects comfortability. The research showed that a mismatch between floor temperature (14 degrees) and ambient temperature (24 degrees) can make people uncomfortable. While similar temperatures of 20 degrees and 21 degrees between the two make people feel the most comfortable.

Process of Installing Insulation Under Floors

Knowing how to insulate under floorboards begins with understanding your floor type and the correct installation process. Here’s how to get started:

Step 1: Identify Your Floor Type

Check if your home has a suspended timber floor. Look for ventilation bricks below floor level or inspect the joists and floorboards from a basement or cellar. If the space beneath the floor isn’t accessible, lift a corner of the carpet and underlay to observe the floor’s structure.

Step 2: Choose the Right Insulation

Consult a flooring expert to determine the best insulation material for your floor type. This ensures compliance with building regulations.

Step 3: Install Insulation Layers

Here are the following layers that are processed when installing floor insulation:

Concrete Slab

If you want a qualitative floor, then the concrete slab method is for you. It is a reinforced concrete slab at least 4 inches thick. The concrete floor will hold back dampness and stabilize the floor, preventing vermin from attacking the insulation.

Construction Foil and Insulation

Reflective foil insulation is placed directly onto the concrete. It has a reflective surface and redirects heat away from the home. It also offers extra protection against dampness. This material can be used in the home for:

  • Attics
  • Walls
  • Ceilings
  • Floors
  • Crawl spaces

Pipes and screed

The pipes are required to be in central heating or floor heating before the screed can be put into place. The whole part can be finished with a screed layer that usually has a thickness of at least 3.15 inches in size.

Additional Considerations

Cost Analysis

When evaluating floor insulation options, it’s crucial to consider upfront costs and long-term savings. Material costs vary among insulation types, with fiberglass typically being more budget-friendly than spray foam or rigid foam board. However, factors such as R-value and installation method can influence overall expenses.

While higher-quality insulation may have a higher initial cost, it often leads to significant energy savings over time, making it a wise investment. Calculating the return on investment (ROI) helps assess the payback period for each option, considering energy efficiency improvements and potential reductions in heating and cooling expenses.

Striking a balance between cost and quality ensures optimal performance and efficiency, ultimately resulting in financial savings and enhanced comfort for the building’s occupants.

Maintenance and Durability

Maintaining floor insulation’s longevity involves regular inspection and moisture control measures to prevent damage and ensure optimal performance.

Periodically check for signs of damage, moisture buildup, or pest infestation, addressing issues promptly to safeguard the insulation and underlying structure.

Implement moisture control strategies like proper ventilation and vapor barriers to mitigate the risk of mold growth and structural deterioration. Additionally, consider the durability of insulation materials during selection, opting for materials resistant to wear and tear to prolong their lifespan.

Following manufacturer guidelines for maintenance and seeking professional inspections when necessary helps maintain insulation effectiveness and identify potential issues early, ensuring a comfortable and energy-efficient indoor environment for years to come.

Additional Reading:

What Is the Warmest Flooring Material?

7 Cold Floor Solutions

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