ALBUQUERQUE AND SANTA FE Blog

Cold Feet in Albuquerque? Underfloor Insulation Can Warm Them Back Up

You may already be familiar with the insulation in your attic and basement, and you may even be aware that insulation is installed throughout your walls and along the ceiling joists. However, homeowners are less likely to know about underfloor insulation and the benefits it contributes to keeping your home temperature regulated and comfortable. If you’re experiencing cold feet, it may not be just from apprehension.

Having quality coverage and properly installed insulation is crucial to maintaining your home's comfort and safety. The material is also responsible for reducing utility costs and improving the energy efficiency of the building. Insulation reduces heat transfer, which is the rate at which heat enters and exits a building. Although heat rises, it can still escape through any under-insulated area, including through the floor. Learn more about underfloor insulation with your local Albuquerque and Santa Fe professionals.

How is Underfloor Insulation Installed?

When you think of adding underfloor insulation to an existing building, you may be concerned about tearing up your floor. However, there are several ways to effectively install the material with little to no damage in your space. For suspended timber floors, you simply lift the floorboards to apply insulation in between floor joists. In other homes, it’s easier to access the area through the basement or crawl spaces.

The primary concern to look out for is moisture and condensation. Many homeowners that attempt DIY insulation projects don’t correctly clean and prepare the area before installing new material. This traps moisture, which can lead to mildew and mold growth. If you’re unsure about the insulation under your floor - or if there is any! - contact local insulation experts that can evaluate your home’s current condition without having to disturb your space.

How Underfloor Insulation Improves Your Home

Reduces Heat Loss

Underfloor insulation helps the thermal efficiency of your building by reducing heat loss. Without a barrier to reduce heat transfer, about 10% of heat is lost through the floor, which can lead to stifling temperatures in the summer and uncomfortable lows in the winter. It's important to remember that while underfloor insulation will help keep your floors from feeling ice-cold, it won't necessarily have a warming effect either; instead, its primary function is to retain heat that's meant to be inside the house.

Improves Air Sealing

When your home is on a raised foundation, you may experience drafts and cold spots if the floors aren’t sufficiently insulated. This is because air enters your home through the gaps between the floor and the ground. When you add material in between the floor joists and apply air sealing to any cracks, gaps, or holes, you significantly reduce the ability for air and outdoor pollutants to enter your home.

Creates A Vapor and Moisture Barrier

Moisture is a significant source of damage and health hazards for your home’s building envelope. If you have wood flooring, moisture and unnoticed water damage can lead to mold growth, warped wood, and encourage pests like dust mites and termites. Insulation underneath your floor and in crawl spaces creates a vapor barrier to significantly reduce condensation and dampness. To support underfloor insulation, effective drainage and crawl space ventilation will also help combat water problems.

Lowers Energy Costs

One of the most important ways underfloor insulation can help you and your household is by helping lower energy costs. With updated insulation and air sealing, heating and cooling costs can be lowered by up to 40%. As we mentioned earlier, your home loses heat in the winter and cool air in the summer when the house is insufficiently insulated. As such, your HVAC unit has to make up for the loss, continuously running in an effort to keep up with the desired temperature on the thermostat.

After insulation and air sealing are updated in your home, including installing additional material in areas like under the floor, along ceiling joists, and throughout the basement and crawl spaces, your HVAC system is off the hook. Heat is blocked from entering in the summer and desired warmth is trapped inside throughout the winter. If you're noticing a spike in your bills and maintenance fees, poor or missing insulation is a likely culprit.

Explore Your Options with Local Industry Experts

As a homeowner, it’s important to develop an understanding of what can impact your home’s comfort, safety, and longevity. To reduce heat loss, moisture damage, and air leaks while also increasing your savings, regularly evaluate and upgrade your underfloor insulation. Remember, the insulation installed under your floorboards won’t necessarily add heat to the floor; instead, it prevents heat from escaping through the ground and it will help prevent the floor from feeling like an ice skating rink.

Our team of industry experts at Koala Insulation of Albuquerque and Santa Fe are here to help you stay safe and comfortable throughout the year. Our free evaluations provide a detailed overview of your home’s insulation and air sealing, targeting pain points and deterioration. With the assistance of our insulation technicians, you and your household can prioritize a plan that centers around your schedule and budget. To schedule your free evaluation and learn more about insulation throughout your home, call your local experts at Koala Insulation of Albuquerque and Santa Fe.