Don’t let mold grow inside your home or office!
How often do you think about your crawl space? Probably not often. And if you don’t often think of your crawl space, you rarely consider its insulation. However, if you notice that your floors are cold or you need a new way to conserve energy in your home, you should consider checking the insulation in your crawl space.
However, it’s hard to get into your Smithfield, NC crawl space to see if it’s sealed or insulated properly. Even if you can get in, you may not know what is the best crawl space insulation you can purchase in Johnston County. Below, we’ll discuss why you need crawl space insulation, the different types, and the pros and cons. Finally, we’ll explain why you should hire Sealed Solution for your sealed crawl space. To learn more, keep reading.
What Is a Crawl Space?
A crawl space is the foundation under the first floor of your home. Crawl spaces support the rest of your house and act as a buffer between your home and the ground. Many homes have a vented crawl space, not a sealed crawl space in Smithfield, NC. This allows air to circulate under your house. However, this can also cause cold floors under your feet, among other issues.
Why Do You Need Crawl Space Insulation?
So why do you need crawl space insulation in Smithfield, NC? Insulation helps with temperature fluctuations. On top of helping your house maintain a consistent temperature, properly installed insulation makes your home more energy-efficient and can improve your air quality. With insulation, you can keep your home cool during the summer and warm during the winter. You can maintain a comfortable home when you have crawl space insulation.
Improperly installed insulation, however, can negatively impact your house. You can waste energy, deal with freezing floors, and have lower air quality if you don’t take care of your sealed crawl space. If you notice your energy bill rising, your floors getting colder, or reduced air quality, you should consider calling Sealed Solution to look at your Johnston County crawl space insulation.
Are There Many Types?
Even though you know your home requires new crawl space insulation, do you know what you should replace it with or how many types of insulation are available? There are two main types of insulation that you can install in your Smithfield, NC home: fiberglass and spray foam. You have most likely heard of these materials, but which is best for your crawl space? You have several factors to consider: safety, price, installation ease, and more. Each material has benefits and disadvantages, so consider them before deciding which to install in your home.
Pros of Fiberglass
Have you ever walked into an unfinished room and looked at the walls? Did you notice a yellow or pink substance sitting behind the structure of the walls? If so, you’ve seen fiberglass in action. Fiberglass consists of plastic and fine glass fibers—thus the name “fiberglass.” Its composition makes it strong and improves its insulation capability.
When you think of insulation for your home, you probably think of fiberglass first. That’s because fiberglass is the oldest form of home insulation. Since it’s so commonly used, it’s a widely available option. Also, it’s an inexpensive option. If you don’t have money saved up for your crawl space insulation, this is a great option for you. Finally, fiberglass is easy to install. Therefore, if you want to install it alone, you can do so.
Cons of Fiberglass
Despite the advantages of fiberglass, there are some negatives to address. Humidity and moisture can ruin fiberglass. However, fiberglass can trap this moisture, allowing mold and mildew to grow in your sealed crawl space. This can make the air quality in your home unsafe.
Also, fiberglass is dangerous if inhaled. This is especially important when you install the material. As you move it around, it will release little particles into the air. You can suffer from nosebleeds, coughing, or other respiratory issues when you breathe in these particles. The particles can also cause irritation and itchiness if it touches your skin, so you have to wear protective gear whenever you come into contact with fiberglass.
Pros of Spray Foam
Luckily, there is another option to consider: spray foam insulation. There are two types of spray foam insulation: open- and closed-cell insulation. Both materials expand when sprayed but only closed-cell spray foam insulation will seal moisture from your Smithfield, NC home.
Spray foam insulation isn’t easily damaged by water and moisture, meaning you don’t have to worry about mold or mildew when you choose spray foam insulation. Also, pests don’t eat this material, so you won’t have pests entering your crawl space looking for food.
Finally, spray foam insulation is safe for the environment. Therefore, if you want an environmentally conscious option, you should choose spray foam.
Cons of Spray Foam
However, there are negatives to spray foam as well. Compared to fiberglass, spray foam is a more expensive option. If you have a flexible budget, then you should consider spray foam. But since you don’t have to worry about water destroying the insulation, choosing spray foam may save you money in the long run.
Also, many can’t install spray foam on their own. It’s not as DIY-friendly as fiberglass, so you should consider hiring a professional if you want spray foam for your Smithfield, NC sealed crawl space.
Should You Install It Yourself?
Once you decide whether you want fiberglass or spray foam insulation for your crawl space, you need to determine how to install it. Do you want to hire a professional, or would you like to do it yourself? How you plan on installing the insulation can change which material you choose.
If you want a thorough job, you should always hire a professional. When you call Sealed Solution at 919-302-1081, you can know that the best crawl space insulation available can protect your home. To save money on your house in Johnston County and walk on your first floor without slippers on, call us and have your crawl space insulated today.
Smithfield is a town in and the county seat of Johnston County, North Carolina, United States. As of the 2010 census the population was 10,966, and in 2019 the estimated population was 12,985. Smithfield is home to the Ava Gardner Museum and is situated along the Neuse River, where visitors enjoy the annual Smithfield Ham and Yam Festival, walks along the Buffalo Creek Greenway, and the historic downtown district. The town is located near North Carolina’s Research Triangle and is approximately 30 miles (48 km) southeast of downtown Raleigh. The Raleigh-Durham-Cary Combined Statistical area has a population of over 2 million residents.
Smithfield was Johnston County’s first town and second county seat. The town was started near Smith’s ferry on the Neuse River. The county court house was moved from Hinton’s Quarter to Smithfield in 1771. The town was first known as Johnston County Courthouse. It was incorporated as Smithfield in 1777.
The third North Carolina state legislature met in Smithfield in 1779 and 1780.
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