Call UsFiberglass Insulation is a Bad Idea for ANY Crawl Space in NJ or Staten Island
When having problems like cold floors or cold drafts coming in from the crawl space during wintertime, or humid hot air during summertime, the first thing most homeowners do is to have the crawl space insulated by installing fiberglass batts between the floor joists. Unfortunately, this method is not only ineffective but can become outright disastrous.
Fiberglass is a very bad choice for vented and dirt-floored crawl spaces for a number of reasons.
- It does not stop cold or hot air from coming through the vents and up to your living area. It is, at best, an air filter.
- It soaks up moisture like a sponge, and once it is wet and heavy, it will melt and fall on the crawl space floor.
- Mold loves humid fiberglass, and all sorts of critters also find it quite suitable for nesting,
The truth is that before you choose an insulation material or method for your vented or dirt-floored crawl space, you need to address the sources of moisture by encapsulating and dehumidifying the area. Only then you will be able to safely insulate, even with fiberglass batts!
The Correct Way to Insulate a Crawl Space in NJ & Staten Island
In the vast majority of cases, once the crawl space vents are closed, the crawl space is completely sealed with a high-quality vapor barrier, and the moisture is controlled year-round with a dehumidifier, crawl space insulation is hardly needed, except in areas that get exceptionally cold in wintertime.
With your crawl space properly treated, there is no more cold air coming in, so your home is much more comfortable, and your energy bills are substantially lower.
If you do need to beef-up up your insulation, Scaldino Basement Solutions is the company for the job. After all, we are the certified crawl space experts in North & Central New Jersey and Staten Island, Jersey City, Edison, Freehold, Passaic, Union City, Old Bridge, Bayonne, Middletown, Paterson, Woodbridge, Brick, Lakewood, Short Hills, Toms River, Morristown, and all surrounding towns and our services are Nationally Backed by our Healthy Crawl Space Certificate.
Level 2 Healthy Crawl Space Protection:
CrawlShield™ Encapsulation System, the Ultimate Solution for Crawl Spaces in New Jersey and Staten Island
- Completely isolates the crawl space from all sources of moisture.
- Serves as a deterrent for pests and wildlife
- Prevents radon gas from ascending into the crawl.
- Helps lower energy bills
- Strong tear resistant, 16-mil thick liner
- Quality Product Made in USA
- Class A Fire Rated
Crawl Space Insulation FAQs for the New Jersey & Staten Island Areas
Why is the floor above the crawl space sagging, bouncy or creaking?
Bouncy, sagging, and creaking floors above a crawl space are a sign that the floor structures are being weakened or compromised by excessive moisture in the crawl space. Untreated, this moisture can lead to mold, dry rot and compromise the structural integrity of your home.
Can my vented crawl space be the cause of my high energy bills?
Vented crawl spaces are notoriously the cause of energy waste year-round, especially if you have HVAC ducts running through them. During the summer, the cool air running through ducts housed in a hot crawl space start to gain temperature before it reaches the rooms. During the winter, the hot air in the ducts will cool down in the freezing crawl space. Your HVAC will be working harder than it should all year, just to keep your home comfortable.
Why are the floors above the crawl space so cold during the winter?
Freezing air from the outside is constantly being sucked through the vents, and then moving upwards through the floors making them cold to the touch, and often causing cold drafts that make the entire indoor space uncomfortable and hard to heat.
What is the best way to insulate the crawl space?
For many years, contractors and DIYers alike have been insulating vented crawl spaces by applying fiberglass batts between the floor joists. That can be a costly mistake. Fiberglass does not air seal the floor. Air can still pass through. To make matters worse, it is also known to soak in moisture like a sponge, support mold growth and fall apart due to the weight of the moisture.
Building scientists recommend that homeowners encapsulate and seal the crawl space to complete isolate it from groundwater and outside humidity, before installing any type of insulation. Depending on where you live, you might not need insulation at all once the crawl space is sealed.
What is the best type of insulation for a crawl space?
Crawl spaces are very prone to moisture and related problems. For that reason, they should be encapsulated and sealed prior to insulation. As for the best insulation materials, choose those that are impervious to moisture and mold, such as rigid foam board or closed-cell spray foam. Fiberglass is the worst possible choice.
Healthy Basement & Healthy Crawl Space Certificate
The Healthy Basement Certificate and Healthy Crawl Space Certificate were created to promote the healthiest basement and crawl space environments for your family.
Indoor air quality can be negatively impacted by excessive moisture and water entering thru foundation cracks which can result in mold growth!
We offer 6 levels of Healthy Basement Certificate, and 5 levels Healthy Crawl Space Certificate, each designed to solve specific problems. These certificates protect your foundation from structural decay and your home’s indoor air quality by preventing mold and other harmful pollutants from thriving under your home.
Steps towards a healthy basement and a Nationally Backed Warranty.
All of our Healthy Basement / Crawl Space Contractors are trained and certified.
Steps towards a healthy crawl space and a Naionally Backed Warranty.
All of our Healthy Basement / Crawl Space Contractors are trained and certified.
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Accreditations
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Better Business Bureau Rating A+
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Service Area
Scaldino Basement Solutions offers a variety of services from waterproofing to foundation repairs. We offer the following services in your area, basement waterproofing, crawl space encapsulation, sump pump installation and service, basement crack repair, vapor barriers and moisture control.