Insulation is a huge aspect of your building’s thermal efficiency. Usually, when it comes to insulation, the most critical area is the roof and the walls. But people often forget there are other parts of the home that need insulation.
One of the more common questions folks ask is, should there be insulation between floors? There are valid reasons for why you should have insulation between floors, but there are also logical reasons that explain why you should not insulate your floors.
Reasons For Insulating Between Floors
For all the valid reasons not to add insulation, there are also reasons when you need insulation. Let’s look at why you might need floor insulation:
- If the floor is above a cold space, you need insulation. Some examples include vented crawl space and unheated garage.
- You need insulation between and over the floor joists when you are dealing with an unfinished attic space. This will seal off living space below.
- If the room is cantilevered beyond the exterior wall bellow, you need floor insulation.
- Slab floors built directly on the ground need insulation.
- When your objective is to reduce sound and noise transfer between floors, insulation is the logical answer and a possible solution to the problem.
Reasons Against Adding Insulation Between Floors
The main reason why you do not need insulation on the floors is simple. The floor does not belong in the building envelope. Sometimes, adding insulation to the floor can cause problems for your home. Floor insulation can hamper the dynamic of vapor barriers and thermal resistance.
The biggest concern that can happen due to floor insulation is mold. Floor insulation can sometimes reduce the room temperature below the dew point. In that case, even a dehumidifier cannot handle the moisture load.
Therefore, it is crucial that you always consult an insulation expert before adding insulation to your floors. A certified professional will be able to make the call regarding whether your home needs insulation between floors or not.
Even more importantly, a certified insulation contractor will know exactly how and where to put insulation and not hamper the building thermal envelope.
We’re happy to stop by and give you a free quote. At Alamance Insulation and Gutters, we’re a leader in the insulation and home performance industries. Serving customers throughout North Carolina, from Greensboro, Burlington, Elon and Mebane to Durham and Raleigh, we can help with all your insulation and gutter needs.