Insulating the space between the joists in a basement or crawlspace can help reduce your energy bills. Here’s how to go about it:

• Cut the insulation to length using a square and sharp utility knife.
• In older homes, where the spacing of the floor joists varies, you may need to cut the insulation to width as well.
• Install the insulation with the vapor barrier facing up toward the heated living area of the house. If both floors of the house are heated, use unfaced insulation.
• Don’t compress the insulation when installing it, but allow it to expand to fill the cavity.
• Hold the insulation in place using support wires beneath it. Cut to length if needed using wire cutters.

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3 Comments on “How to Insulate Under Floors in a Basement or Crawlspace”

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1. mike Says:
   January 19th, 2010 at 10:38 am

   Will isolating the basement by insulating the ceiling cause the basement to become colder? If I have to now open the heat run in the basement that I currently keep closed, that seems like it will offset any savings I get in the living area. Not sure.

2. jd spencer Says:
   February 1st, 2010 at 12:17 pm

   installing roll insulation in ceiling of basement which is under floors of living space my basement is heated but a smaller amount than up in living space (usually 66-68 upstairs and 58-60 at the same time in basement) my question is about the kraft paper facing, I think it should face the basement because of any moisture in basement. It has concrete floors (not covered with carpet or anything other flooring)it’s 22 degrees outside and the hardwood floors upstairs are pretty cool. Before the floors in the living space were warmer because I was heating with baseboard heaters in each room but this year the electric company raised the price 2 cents a kwh and I got a $300.00 electric bill so now I’ve turned on the natural gas furnace.

3. rodney Says:
   July 22nd, 2010 at 7:09 am

   in a crawlspace if the insulation is facing out it will retain
   moister and mold and eventually fall out it has to have some kind of barrier to prevent this from happening??????????

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