Installing floor insulation in your home can reduce your energy costs, make your home cooler, and improve its resale value. One of the unique selling points for sellers is to make their home energy efficient for prospective buyers.
However, if you are wondering about how to install floor insulation, this article will guide you in carrying out the insulation job easily.
What is Floor Insulation?
When you put extra insulation beneath the floorboards for preventing the escape of heat from the ground is known as floor insulation. Many homeowners often never pay attention to insulate their floors and as a result, end up paying 15% more on utility bills. Additionally, many experts also believe that it is the primary reason that many homes lose heat because of proper insulation. Moreover, insulating your floor also helps to prevent your home from severe draughts coming from the floorboards. Apart from this, you can also call your local floor installers while deciding upon how to lay floor insulation.
Primarily, floor insulation is carried out while installing a new floor in place. However, recently many floor manufacturers are offering floor insulation along with floorboards. This can help you to save a huge sum of money on your heating bill.
Select the Right Insulation
Before jumping into the insulation methods, let us understand how to select the right insulation.
- Check the Thermal Performance – It is important on your part to check the thermal performance of the insulating material. You must keep in mind that heat always moves towards the cooler places, and hence you need good material for preventing the heat to escape. Make sure to check the R-value of the material, the higher the R-value, the more the insulation power of the material.
- Air Tightness – It is difficult to prevent the escape of air from your doors and windows, irrespective of how miniscule it may be. Managing air leaks will not only prevent the air to escape but also helps in managing the temperature, and moisture of the room.
- Moisture – Controlling the moisture in your rooms is important especially when it is hot and humid outside. It will also help in reducing the growth of mold and mildew but also helps in making the environment comfortable and healthy for your family.
Ways to Insulate your Floor
- Draught Proofing – You can use caulking or even sealant for filling up the gaps between your floorboard, floor, and the skirting.
- Put an insulating layer beneath your floor or carpet – You can use a polyfoam board or a fibreboard underlay for properly insulating your floor.
- A rug – Laying a rug over on a bare floorboard or on a floor can help to prevent the draught at bay along with keeping your feet warm in colder months.
There are many ways to insulate your floor and may more reasons as to why you should. If you’re consider doing so, whilst you’re able to do it yourself, we would recommend seeking the help of professionals. They’ll not only what which way will be best for you and your home but also be able to the job right the first time and a lot faster, saving you money in the long run.
