insulation

[baler 46]

Live in minnesota is it whorth it to insulate the crawl space in this newer part of our home we added on last year.That would be to put insulation in floor joce,there is tile on the floor will the insulation make the floor warmer.We are putting some heat in the crawl space to. We will put insulation around the sides of the floor joice,and there is foam on the wall of the crawwl space thanks bruce

[Wgoodrich]

In your area I believe you are required to insulate one or the other. If crawl space heated the floor must be insulated. If crawl unheated crawl perimeter must be insulated. I advice not to heat the crawl.

You are also required vents in your foundation walls.

In the summer those vents must be open but in winter they must be blocked. Remember stale air will not freeze pipes. Air flowing will freeze pipes. Dirt below crawl is normally 55 degrees.

I advise that in winter you need to block your vents until summer comes. Then insulate the perimeter of your crawl space with 1" styrofoam board. Scrape the floor of the crawl space to clear the area against the foundation wall. Then cut the styrofoam boards to fit tight from earth to floor joists. Then push the styrofoam against the inside of the crawl space foundation walls all around the crawl perimeter. Then push the pea gravel and dirt against the bottom of the styrofoam board to create a better seal and help hold the board in place against the foundation walls. Then use friction non backed fiberglass insulation to stuff between the floor joists against the band board to make a completed insulation envelope in the crawl space. Then spread a vapor barrier [plastic sheeting from a roll] totally coveirng the floor of the crawl space. This limits moisture from entering your house. This will create approximate a 50 degree crawl space to protect from pipe freezing and will create your warm floors you desire.

I advise not to insulate the floor. I have seen this paper back floor insulation between the floor joists suck up moisture from the crawl area and get heavy and next thing you know you have a mess in the crawl with sway back insulation hanging everywhere doing you no good for insulation value. The above in my opinion is your best choice of insulating your crawl being best long lasting insulating value and trouble free.

If you have a lot of ceramic flooring you might wish to check into under floor heating products that will heat the tile to above room temp from below in the crawl space. They also have products with in floor with tile included 4 x 8 sheets of this heated tile flooring that is UL listed that may be a better choice if you have not yet installed the tile floors.

Hope this gives you some ideas

Wg