What Type of Insulation is Best for Floors?

Being a homeowner is not easy; simply put, a house comes with its own set of responsibilities. Right from bearing the maintenance costs to taking care of the plumbing and heating requirements, everything falls on the homeowner’s shoulders. If this is the case, why should flooring insulation be excluded from this list?

What types of flooring insulation can you use in your house?

Blanket batts and rolls

Typically constructed out of fibreglass, blanket batts and rolls are also made from plastic fibres, cotton and mineral wool. Not only blanket batts and rolls are inexpensive, but they are extremely easy to install yourself. The materials are designed in such a way so that they fit into the standard width between floor joists and wall studs. If you are going for the roll variety, make sure you cut the insulation to the proper length, before installation.

Spray Foam

Spray foam is used to seal leaks and gaps and is used as an insulation material extensively. Liquid polyurethane is sprayed below the floor’s cavity; it expands as soon as it comes in contact with air. Spray foam is available in two forms: open-cell foam or denser closed-cell foam. While closed foam has one of the highest R-value, it is rather expensive. Consider calling a professional to get the insulation, before thinking about tackling it on your own.

EPS sheets

EPS sheets, otherwise known as polystyrene sheets, are one of the best insulation options for solid oak flooring and engineered oak flooring. Not only are they easy to install, but they also have a high insulation value, making them ideal for insulating floors.

Insulating screed

Insulation screed is made by mixing insulation material and cement, and it consists of polystyrene granules. Insulation screed needs to be combined with good insulation material, to get the most out of it during the insulation process. Most of the times, you can use one-part cement, with three parts of sand, to get a smooth and levelled flooring surface.

Hemp blocks

Another flooring insulation option is hemp blocks, which possess excellent compressed strength. They are easy to install, and have high technical flexibility, making them the first choice for many architects and designers. With hemp blocks, you can lay the insulation for the whole house within a matter of few hours and cover it with screed for maximum insulation effect.

Flooring insulation helps retain heat and preserves energy in the long run. Ideally, the temperature of non-insulated flooring will be around 11 degrees, while an insulated flooring will be anywhere close to 20 degrees. Such is the effect of insulation on the house’s flooring.