Insulating Pier And Beam Floor

A pier and beam home built on top of sturdy supports typically has an open crawl space between the floor of the house and the earth.

Insulating pier and beam floor.

Alternatively you could fill the cavity completely using r 38 faced batt insulation. The air space above the 9 1 2 inch insulation in the 12 inch joist cavity will help provide a warm floor inside the cabin. According to the 2012 irc the minimum r value for floor assemblies is r 13 in zones 1 and 2 r 19 in zones 3 and 4 r 30 in zones 5 and 6 and r 38 in zones 7 and 9. There s also an extra bit of insulation from the air under the home saving you on energy costs.

If you want to insulate a floor assembly by leaving the joist bays empty and installing rigid foam on the underside of the joists here are a few things to keep in mind. Pier and beam foundation homes in wetter climates may opt for this choice because foam insulation is typically resistant to mold. Homes built on pier and beam foundations can be relocated if necessary. Cons of pier and beam foundations.

These stiff boards are placed close together on top of the floor joists. Some homeowners prefer the feel of the wood platform over a concrete floor. Adding insulation mitigates the problem but there are some considerations to keep in mind. An uninsulated floor allows heat to escape making the house less energy efficient.

If you would prefer to install the insulation without the help of a professional one option would be to use foam boards.