Proper insulation can increase comfort while decreasing energy costs.
Basements and crawlspaces are often overlooked when it comes to insulation. That’s a shame, because they are just as vulnerable to energy waste as any other part of the home. Taking the time to inspect and properly insulate these areas can help you save energy and make your home feel more comfortable.
Project Overview
Tools and Materials:
- Utility knife
- Table or circular saw
- Caulk gun
- Measuring tape
- Lights
- Straight edge and markers
- Foam/caulk/construction adhesive/duct mastic
- Insulation—cavity batts or rigid foam board insulation
- Sheathing—OSB/plywood or code-approved foam board
- Fasteners—screws with washers or button-capped nails
Safety:
- Dust mask/respirator
- Gloves
- Safety glasses
- Kneepads
- Long sleeve shirt/long pants
- Consider applying baby powder to exposed skin before installing fiberglass to minimize itching
- Before you insulate these parts of your home, make sure you’ve already properly air sealed them first. Insulation will be far more effective with air sealing already in place.
- Inspect the area to be insulated and determine what kind of insulation is best for your needs. Generally, most DIYers find insulation batts to be easiest to work with, but you may also want to consider spray-applied foam as an alternative.