I'm renovating a 1940s summer cabin in California, and I want to make it suitable for year-round living. The cabin has Douglas fir subfloors that I've refinished, and now I'm looking for ways to insulate it without tearing up the floor. I have access to the crawl space, so I'm curious about what materials and steps I should consider for insulating the space effectively.
3 Answers
If you're tackling insulation, get ready for a bit of a crawl under the house. Grab some batt insulation, a staple gun, and some string. It's not going to be super fun, but it’ll make a difference! That said, make sure you handle it carefully to ensure it fits well and stays up.
I see you're working on an older cabin. It’s super important to control moisture, so make sure to add that vapor barrier alongside your insulation. It'll really help keep things cozy and prevent any rot or mold! Once you have that covered, you’ll be set for a much warmer space.
To insulate your cabin's floor, you can go under the house and use batt insulation, like R-19 fiberglass or mineral wool, between the joists. It's not the easiest job, but it’s doable! Just remember to secure the insulation with wire supports or mesh to keep it in place. Also, don't forget to install a vapor barrier over the ground (like 6 mil plastic sheeting) to help manage moisture and preserve the insulation's effectiveness.