Icicles, leakages, molds, noise, and unending energy bills are a nightmare to every American household. Research shows that an average American home loses approximately 70% of heat because of poor insulation. This is a tremendous loss of energy and money.
The problem comes in when insulation is done in bits such that walls are insulated, but the floors and roofs are not; which still leads to energy loss. According to BBC, https://www.bbc.com/news/explainers-60289396, there are five steps to achieving 100% insulation to reduce heat loss by at least 90%. They are:
- Loft insulation
- Upgraded doors and windows
- Cavity wall insulation
- Solid wall insulation
- Underfloor insulation
Here, we will focus on floor insulation and how to arrive at the best insulation materials. Before then, what are the benefits of insulation?
- Reduced heating bills up to 15% of your total home energy bills
- Provides comfortable heating for your family all year round
- Reduced noise pollution or disturbances
- Reduced carbon footprint as less energy is wasted
As you scout for the type of insulation materials to get for your floors, please consider the following as a guide towards choosing the most effective material.
- What type of flooring do you have?
You want to get the most compatible material regarding your floor type. If you are working with anything non-concrete such as wooden floors or suspended timber floors, consider using insulating methods that will ensure proper fitting; wood is likely to cause draughts, which may cause discomfort. Use draught-proofing if you are making repairs on an old wooden floor and cellulose or fiberglass when fitting underfloor insulation.
Keep in mind that you can also use slab-top insulation for concrete floors. Here you sandwich the insulating material, say, polyester or insulating foam, between the slab itself and the top-floor finishing.
- What is your Budget?
Insulating your floors can be pretty expensive, but it does not have to be so with a budget to work with. Ensure you look into floor insulating options that fit your budget. If you are looking for insulating materials that are pretty cheap, consider cellulose or fiberglass- which is recycled and shredded jeans or glass. On the other hand, floor spray foam and foil rolls can be costly.
When it comes to working with a tight budget, consider DIY insulation. If you want to cut costs, you want to consider setting up the insulation by yourself. Insulating your floors using fiberglass batts or polyester rolls is much easier and may not require a professional; a few woodwork skills or any related skill will do. You, however, need to make sure you use protective gear such as masks, goggles, and gloves to avoid irritations and injuries. Save those bucks!
- How available are the materials?
For a less costly setup, consider using readily available materials in your area to cut costs in sourcing for those materials, and transportation, among other expenses.
- What is the size of the building?
Again, factor in the size of the total floor area you want to insulate. With this in mind, you will be able to choose the best material and labor in terms of the cost per area covered. If keen and with the proper guidance, you might spend much less than you anticipated.
As for direction, consider contacting your local utility company, which will audit your home and help you estimate your energy needs and what materials will be most suitable. A professional will also guide you, or you can visit the marketplace for building materials.
- What is its R-Value?
The R-value is the thermal resistance value of the insulating materials you decide to use. A higher R-value per inch of the area is most recommended as that translates to higher heat retention, therefore reducing energy consumption heating bills.
When purchasing insulating materials, you want to check with your region’s department of energy recommendations for both cold and hot climates. For example, the United States energy department recommends R-11 (3½”) insulation under floors in warm temperatures and an R-25 (6″ to 8″) in cold temperatures.
- How Durable and efficient is it?
As much as costs are concerned, it is better to spend on a quality insulating material, which will be costly, than to spend on cheap material that will need constant repairs. You will be spending twice as much money making repairs every winter or summer. You also want to go for quality installation services as you go for quality material.
- How healthy is it?
If you or your family is easily susceptible to complications caused by allergens, you want to consider insulating material that does not shed dust or lint. Fiberglass is known for its allergenic nature and understanding the types of irritations and allergies they cause can help you decide if it is for you or not.
You can never go wrong with adequately insulating your home and the floors, to be specific. It is an assertion of comfort and low energy costs. Remember that insulating also supports the GoGreen initiative as there is reduced carbon footprint and energy pollution.