Hey everyone! I've been diving into videos about crawlspaces and am hoping to get some advice on a chilly issue in my home. My living room, situated over a 30" crawlspace, is the only area without a basement. A few years back, we had the entire house air sealed and added attic insulation, including sealing the rim joists and insulating the crawlspace walls down to the dirt. While we've noticed some comfort improvements overall, the floor in my living room remains really cold, even with socks and shoes. The rest of the house feels moderately cold in winter, but the living room floor still gives me chills! The crawlspace is dry with no water or mold issues, and I run a dehumidifier in the basement. However, there's limited air exchange because the access points are partially blocked. What can I do to warm up the floor this summer so I'm not freezing next winter? Happy to answer any questions to clarify my situation!
2 Answers
It sounds like the main issue is the lack of insulation under your living room floor. If there's a crawlspace underneath, adding insulation there would really make a difference. Even if the walls of your crawlspace are insulated, you need to address the floor. Also, keep in mind that while you’ve insulated the walls, the effectiveness can be limited since concrete isn’t a great insulator. Better to tackle the floor insulation sooner rather than later!
That makes sense! I didn’t have subfloor insulation either, but there was still decent warmth in my floors. Still, considering the cold conditions you're describing, insulation might be the ticket to improving your comfort level.
Hey! First, check whether your crawlspace vents and doors are tightly sealed—proper sealing can help maintain a stable temperature. Are your sill plates sealed too? That could significantly affect warmth. Also, having HVAC ducts in the crawlspace might help keep the area warmer, so check that as well! My crawlspace remains around 64-70°F year-round, so it’s doable!
Good point! The access holes can really impact airflow. I'm surprised you said your area stays warm, mine feels much colder; maybe I just need better sealing!
Yes! I also covered my crawlspace openings, and it definitely helped keep the warmth in.
Exactly! I live in a cold climate too, and getting under the floor with insulation made a huge difference for me.