?Worth insulating crawlspace walls?
My general just finished a raised foundation in Mt. Shasta, CA (5800 heating degree days[base65]). I have graded fill surrounding the exterior up to 6″ below the mud sills. I plan a fairly airtight crawl space, I plan to close the vents after inspection. Would it be worth the time and money to glue solid foil backed 2″ foam on the interior walls of the crawl space from the ground to the top of the mud sills? These exterior cement foundation walls are about 2′ high, and as I say, are banked with soil on the outside I am mostly interested in having a tile floor that is as warm as I can get it. I am a novice. Joists are 10x with fiberglass, vapor retarder on the ground. If I had done it myself, I would have done a warm crawl space, completely insulated. I know how it should have been done, but this is where I am right now. Thanks for your answers.
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Greetings Mary,
As a firsttime poster Welcome to Breaktime.
This post, in response to your question, will bump the thread through the 'recent discussion' listing again which will increase it's viewing.
Perhaps it will catch someone's attention that can help you with advice.
Cheers
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Depends<G> If your crawl is dry, and stays that way, it might help. What is the frost line out there? To deep, and probably wouldn't benefit. I might not use foil faced, just because of the extra cost.
It would also depend on how much non-movable stuff you have in the way, like ducting, air handler/furnace, plumbing, electrical, etc.
If you are in a termite prone area, you'll probably need to leave a 3" termite inspection gap at the top of the foundation.
The rim joists/band seem to be the largest source of crawl air infiltration. Might pull back the fiberglass, push in rigid foam, and seal edges with spray foam.
Working in 2' crawl after the fact is tons of fun, too!
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Mary,
I would insulate. I put my insulation/waterproofing rigid fibreglass (called Warm and Dri at the time) on the outside of the foundation here in NW Oh. Tough to detail an outside covering.
But, for a warm tile floor-radiant heat in the floor is the only way to keep from wearing slippers or using throw rugs, even with a conditioned crawl.
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insulate, definitely
I would use rigid insulation, make sure to close all gaps in the rimjoist space