Underfloor insulation refers to the area above an unheated basement or crawlspace. Properly insulating this area gives the home overall heat retention, warmth and helps reduce the heating cost of the entire home. Floor insulation also gives a home both thermal control and sound control. The method for installing floor insulation pretty much the same as installing ceiling insulation. There are several tips homeowner should follow when installing the floor insulation as a home improvement project. Along with the proper protective gear, there are some steps one can follow to ensure the process goes smoothly and the insulation is installed properly.
It is recommended that anyone working with underfloor insulation installing wear a helmet. This will protect the worker from injury from floor joists, exposed nails and other hazards. Any worker on floor insulation will also need to wear knee pads, cotton gloves, non-slip shoes and a respirator along with loose fitting protective clothing.
Homeowners also need to check the area for termites, water and carpenter ants before beginning. If any of these problems are noticed, professional needs to come in and take care of these issues before any work can begin. If at any time the job seems to be too much, contact a professional.
Using proper tools makes the underfloor insulation project go faster, more smoothly and promotes safety. Some jobs require more tools than others, but there a few must-haves for installing insulation. A tape measure is needed to properly measure the insulation and the area to be insulated along with a straight edge and a utility knife for cutting insulation. A stapling tool is needed for attaching insulation. The putty knife and screwdriver is needed to force insulation into areas and a caulking gun and caulk to seal floor plats and gaps where air may flow through.
There are different types of insulation and choosing one depends on the budget, where it will be installed and the R-value. The R-value rating is used to measure how well the insulation is able to resist heat flow. The insulation in which the heat and cold flows through more slowly has the greatest R-value. For floors an R-value of 19 is good, 25 are better and 30 are best. Choosing between the different types of insulation depends on personal choice and the area being insulated. The various types include rolls, blown in, faced and unfaced insulation. If there are question about insulation types, it is recommended to consult a professional.
It is recommended that anyone working with underfloor insulation installing wear a helmet. This will protect the worker from injury from floor joists, exposed nails and other hazards. Any worker on floor insulation will also need to wear knee pads, cotton gloves, non-slip shoes and a respirator along with loose fitting protective clothing.
Homeowners also need to check the area for termites, water and carpenter ants before beginning. If any of these problems are noticed, professional needs to come in and take care of these issues before any work can begin. If at any time the job seems to be too much, contact a professional.
Using proper tools makes the underfloor insulation project go faster, more smoothly and promotes safety. Some jobs require more tools than others, but there a few must-haves for installing insulation. A tape measure is needed to properly measure the insulation and the area to be insulated along with a straight edge and a utility knife for cutting insulation. A stapling tool is needed for attaching insulation. The putty knife and screwdriver is needed to force insulation into areas and a caulking gun and caulk to seal floor plats and gaps where air may flow through.
There are different types of insulation and choosing one depends on the budget, where it will be installed and the R-value. The R-value rating is used to measure how well the insulation is able to resist heat flow. The insulation in which the heat and cold flows through more slowly has the greatest R-value. For floors an R-value of 19 is good, 25 are better and 30 are best. Choosing between the different types of insulation depends on personal choice and the area being insulated. The various types include rolls, blown in, faced and unfaced insulation. If there are question about insulation types, it is recommended to consult a professional.
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Learn more about underfloor insulation. Stop by Paul R Biggs's site where you can find out all about home insulation and what it can do for you.
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