Flooring is a vital component of any room and can profoundly affect environmental comfort, depending on whether it’s insulated or not. You can see the effect of poor insulation in the hit movie Aliens when Private Hudson finds the floor to be freezing. Sergeant Apone responds, “What do you want me to do, fetch your slippers for you”?
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While this movie was obviously made for entertainment, it’s not too far-fetched to believe that these battle-hardened characters would still notice cold floors. Cold floors can affect anyone from futuristic science fiction soldiers to the average homeowner. Without proper insulation, flooring can be a significant cause of heat loss.
Several different flooring insulation materials help prevent heat from escaping. For example, glass wool insulation made of reused glass material is one of the most common products. Though, glass wool requires safety equipment during installation as it causes skin irritation and shouldn’t be inhaled.
Another option is polyester insulation which can be handled without safety equipment and is non-toxic. Polyester flooring insulation is available in rolls for a straightforward and convenient installation.
There are also foam insulation boards that come in rectangular shapes designed to fit between the floor supports. While rigid, these boards can be cut to fit specific sizes during installation.
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Insulating your home from the elements is essential, and many different materials are available to get the job done. But what are the main benefits you should expect after adding insulation to your flooring?
Since floors are a source of heat loss, installing insulation will help minimize this factor. With a more efficient home, your HVAC won’t need to work as hard to keep you warm, prolonging its service life.
Insulation in the floor can reduce sound transmission between levels in the home. Everyday activities that generate sound, like walking or listening to music, won’t travel as easily through the floor. You can enjoy your favorite movie or cheer for your team in the World Cup without getting disturbed.
A drafty home is caused by many factors, such as poorly sealed windows, uninsulated doors, and insufficient insulation. One way to mitigate this issue is to add insulation to the floors and prevent heat from escaping.
Moisture is the enemy of every home, as a leak can wreak havoc inside walls before being contained. One of the benefits of insulation in flooring is that it can help create a barrier against moisture and prevent it from traveling further through the home.
During the winter especially, an uninsulated floor is cold and uncomfortable to the touch. While insulation won’t heat up flooring, it helps keep the environment from losing valuable heat that contributes to cold floors.
Homeowners know the pain of seeing their energy bills jump up in both the heat of summer and the cold of winter. Insulation in your home’s flooring will help reduce costs by improving thermal efficiency.
Because the insulation is hidden, it’s common for homeowners to neglect this essential component. However, installing insulation to the floor is not only an accessible project for do-it-yourself types, but it also provides several benefits.
Flooring insulation makes sense from reduced energy bills and improved thermal efficiency to lower sound transmission and moisture protection. Insulation consists of materials like glass wool, polyester, and rigid foam and comes in wide varieties for those looking to improve their home.
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