Insulation does not make your building warmer; heat does. Crawl space insulation only helps to hold in the heat. Proper installation is imperative, and for good reason. Several different types of insulation can be used in crawl spaces, and while some of these are more efficient than others, one in particular should not be used iat all, except on the cement foundation.

There are correct and incorrect places to install the insulation, depending on the environment. If installed improperly, money will be wasted and, ultimately, damage to the building will result.

How to insulate a crawl space depends on ventilation. Traditionally, crawl spaces have been vented to prevent problems with moisture; and most building codes require vents to aid in removing moisture. However, many professionals now recognize that building an unventilated crawl space (or closing vents after the crawl space dries out following construction) is a better option, as long as proper moisture control and exterior drainage techniques are employed.

There are two main reasons for this line of thinking:

• Ventilation in the winter makes it difficult to keep crawl spaces warm.
• Warm, moist outdoor air brought into the crawl space through foundation vents in the summer is often unable to dehumidify crawl space. In fact, this moist outdoor air can lead to increased moisture levels in the crawl space.

Installing insulation is not fun, and if not done correctly, problems can occur. Contact us for more information. We will provide an assessment of your particular situation and make recommendations, based on your specific needs and budget.