What’s the Difference Between Crawl Space Encapsulation & Insulation?
You may come across the question of whether you need to insulate or encapsulate your crawl space. Don’t worry if you don’t know the difference as you are in the same boat as many other homeowners. Crawl spaces are in many homes and it’s important as a homeowner to keep these spaces safe and protected. At Ecotelligent Homes, we have insulated and encapsulated thousands of crawl spaces. We’ll walk you through what you need to know and how to decide between encapsulation or insulation for your crawl space.
Crawl space encapsulation vs insulation
While it may seem like encapsulation and insulation are the same things, they do have differences that set them apart from one another. Knowing what these differences are is important in making your decision of which one to choose. The two options have different purposes in which they are used.
Encapsulation’s primary focus is for fixing any issues you might have with moisture and any standing water in the space. Insulation is best used for fixing frozen pipes and cold floors.
What is crawl space encapsulation?
If you are encapsulating your crawl space, that means that you are dealing with water problems and excessive moisture in this area. To know whether or not you should choose crawl space encapsulation, consider the following:
- Do you have serious problems with your foundation?
- Do you have issues with bulk water?
- Do you have a surplus of water related problems?
- Does my crawl space have signs of mold or mildew?
If you answer yes to any of the following questions, then encapsulation might be the best option for your crawl space. Encapsulating your crawl space means that you will be completely sealing it off with a material that resembles a swimming pool liner. This protects your foundation that might be at risk and mitigate any future water-related problems that could occur. It’s best to have this done by a professional as you will need your entire crawl space cleaned out to ensure a proper and complete seal.
What is crawl space insulation?
On the other hand, insulating your crawl space is an indication that you are dealing with cold floors or drafty areas. Not only are these circumstances uncomfortable especially in the colder winter months, but they can also lead to higher energy usage and less efficiency. Whether you have no insulation at all in your crawl space or just minimal insulation, this allows air from outside to be let in and cause a variety of other problems. To know whether you should choose insulation for your crawl space, consider the following:
- Are the floors of my home cold in the winter months?
- Are there areas of my home that seem drafty and colder than other areas?
- Do my pipes become cold or even freeze in the winter?
After you consider these questions and decide on insulation, there are a few different options for insulation. It’s best to consult a professional to get your crawl space looked at to get a better understanding of which type of insulation is the best fit. Ecotelligent Homes uses closed-cell spray foam insulation for crawl spaces. The closed-cell foam is waterproof insulation that can effectively insulate and encapsulate your crawl space.
Still have questions?
If you still have questions about crawl space encapsulation or insulation, we are happy to answer your questions at Ecotelligent Homes. Our team of professionals has many years of experience with both of these options, and we can help you decide which one is best for your home. A complete home energy audit can help identify areas of your home that could use improvement and we can help implement solutions to be more energy efficient. Contact us today to set up your home energy audit!