Are Crawl Spaces Insulated?

In another article, we addressed whether it’s best to waterproof your crawl space with encapsulation or insulation.

This article will answer the question, “Are Crawl Spaces Insulated?”

Let’s jump right in!

Are Crawl Spaces Insulated?

Most building codes require insulation in areas like crawl spaces. It is usually placed between floor joists or on walls. This material is essential for temperature regulation and energy efficiency in your crawl space and throughout your home, but it’s not without its problems.

failing fiberglass insulation in a damp crawl space

If your floors feel cold in the winter, you have higher-than-normal energy bills, or your HVAC struggles to maintain comfortable indoor temperatures year-round, don’t be quick to blame your home’s builders for faulty insulation. While some contractors cut corners and quickly install sub-standard insulation, certain materials react differently in different crawl space conditions.

Crawl space insulation is intended to protect your home from temperature fluctuations and moisture, but various materials easily succumb to moisture and excessive humidity. Many crawl spaces have open vents that allow outside air and water inside, creating damp conditions that cause the insulation to fail.

What Does Crawl Space Insulation Look Like?

crew installing foam board crawl space insulation

Crawl space insulation comes in all shapes, sizes, and materials. Here, we’ve listed the three most common forms you may see in your crawl space, ranking them from best to worst:

Foam board panels (the most effective, lasting type and the kind we install)
Spray foam (still slightly effective, but can be easily damaged)
Fiberglass (highly ineffective, harbors mold and pests, and does not belong in a crawl space)

What to Do Next

In this post, we answered your question about whether crawl spaces are insulated.

There’s a lot more to cover on crawl space insulation, so stay tuned for more informative articles!

If you need help with crawl space insulation, you can benefit from a free inspection from our expert team at Indiana Foundation Service. Just click the button below to get started!

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Holly Richards-Purpura

Content Writer

Holly is a Content Writer for Groundworks who has written and edited web content for the foundation services industry for 10 years. With a background in journalism, her passion for the written word runs deep. Holly lives in Columbus, OH, with her husband. Along with educating homeowners, she also has a big heart for the Big Apple.

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