Many homeowners don't realize that their crawl space is a major source of energy loss and moisture-related problems. In the winter, uninsulated crawl spaces allow cold air to seep through your floors, making rooms uncomfortable and forcing your heating system to work overtime. In the summer, humid outdoor air enters through vents, condensing on cool surfaces and creating perfect conditions for mold growth.
Professional crawl space insulation and proper vapor barrier installation can dramatically improve comfort, reduce energy bills by 15-20%, and protect your home's structural integrity from moisture damage.
Common Crawl Space Problems
We see the same issues in crawl spaces throughout the Triad area. Recognizing these problems is the first step to fixing them:
Cold Floors in Winter
The most common complaint. Without proper floor insulation, your heating system is essentially trying to warm the cold earth beneath your home. Cold floors make rooms uncomfortable and drive up heating costs significantly.
Moisture & Humidity Problems
Standing water, condensation, and high humidity create perfect conditions for mold, mildew, and wood rot. North Carolina's humid climate makes this especially problematic. A proper vapor barrier is essential.
Musty Odors & Mold
That distinctive "basement smell" in your home comes from mold and mildew growing in your crawl space. These odors—and potentially harmful spores—rise up through gaps in your floors into your living space.
Sagging Floors & Structural Issues
Chronic moisture weakens floor joists and subfloors. Over time, you may notice bouncy or sagging floors, squeaks, or even visible structural damage. Catching moisture problems early prevents expensive repairs.
Pest Infestations
Open vents and moist environments attract termites, carpenter ants, rodents, and other pests. Proper vapor barriers and sealing make your crawl space far less inviting to unwanted visitors.
High Energy Bills
An uninsulated crawl space can account for 15-25% of your home's total energy loss. Your HVAC system runs longer to compensate, driving up both heating and cooling costs year-round.
The Good News: All of these problems are preventable and fixable with proper crawl space insulation and moisture control. We address each issue systematically to create a dry, efficient, and healthy crawl space.
Our Comprehensive Crawl Space Solutions
We offer complete crawl space services using premium products from Owens Corning and Johns Manville. Our approach addresses both insulation and moisture control for long-lasting results.
Floor Insulation Between Joists
We install high-quality fiberglass batt insulation between floor joists to stop cold air from entering your home through the floors. This is the most cost-effective way to eliminate cold floors and reduce heating costs.
R-19 to R-30: Meets Energy Star recommendations for Climate Zone 4
Proper Installation: Secured with insulation supports or wire mesh
Faced Insulation: Vapor retarder facing the heated space
No Gaps: Complete coverage for maximum thermal protection
Best For: Traditional vented crawl spaces where you want to stop cold floors without full encapsulation. This approach is more budget-friendly while still delivering excellent results.
Heavy-Duty Vapor Barriers
A quality vapor barrier is essential for controlling moisture in your crawl space. We install commercial-grade Husky 6-10 mil vapor barriers that stop ground moisture from entering your crawl space.
6-10 Mil Thickness: Heavy-duty polyethylene that won't tear easily
Complete Coverage: Covers entire crawl space floor with proper overlap
Sealed Seams: All seams taped to prevent moisture penetration
Wall Coverage: Extended up foundation walls and sealed
Critical for North Carolina: Our humid climate means ground moisture is constantly trying to enter your crawl space. A vapor barrier is not optional—it's essential for preventing mold, wood rot, and structural damage.
Crawl Space Vents (Traditional or Sealed)
The question of whether to vent or seal crawl spaces has evolved over the years. We offer both approaches depending on your specific situation and budget:
Vented Approach
Install Temp Vents or aluminum vents to provide cross-ventilation. This traditional approach works well if:
- You have a vapor barrier installed
- The crawl space is dry
- Budget is a concern
Sealed Approach
Seal all vents and condition the crawl space. This modern approach is more effective for:
- Moisture-prone crawl spaces
- Maximum energy efficiency
- Complete encapsulation
Our Recommendation: During our free inspection, we'll assess your specific crawl space and recommend the best approach. There's no one-size-fits-all answer—it depends on moisture levels, HVAC configuration, and your goals.
Spray Foam Encapsulation
For maximum performance, closed-cell spray foam applied to foundation walls creates a sealed, conditioned crawl space. This is the gold standard for crawl space treatment.
Professional In-House Spray Foam Installation
Our trained and certified team installs both open cell and closed cell spray foam systems, providing the highest level of crawl space encapsulation. We handle every aspect of your project from start to finish.
Spray foam encapsulation is ideal for crawl spaces with chronic moisture issues, ductwork, or when you want the absolute best energy performance.
Our Installation Process
Proper crawl space work requires careful attention to detail. We don't cut corners—we do it right the first time.
Thorough Inspection
We inspect your crawl space for moisture problems, existing insulation condition, structural issues, pest damage, HVAC components, and ventilation. We'll identify all problems and recommend the best solutions for your situation and budget.
Address Moisture Issues
Before installing insulation, we address any moisture problems. This may include installing drainage, fixing foundation issues, or correcting grading problems. Insulating over moisture problems only traps the moisture and makes things worse.
Install Vapor Barrier
We install heavy-duty 6-10 mil vapor barrier across the entire crawl space floor, overlapping seams by 12 inches and taping them securely. The barrier extends up foundation walls 6-12 inches and is sealed to prevent moisture infiltration.
Install Floor Insulation
We install R-19 to R-30 fiberglass batt insulation between floor joists, ensuring vapor retarder faces up toward the heated space. Insulation is secured with proper supports or wire mesh to prevent sagging. All gaps around pipes and wires are sealed.
Final Inspection & Recommendations
We perform a final quality check and provide you with maintenance recommendations. We'll explain what to watch for and answer any questions about your crawl space care.
Benefits of Professional Crawl Space Insulation
Warmer Floors in Winter
Eliminate cold floors that make rooms uncomfortable. Proper floor insulation keeps heat where it belongs—in your living space.
Lower Energy Bills
Reduce heating and cooling costs by 15-20% when combined with proper attic insulation. That's real money back in your pocket every month.
Moisture Control
Vapor barriers stop ground moisture from entering your crawl space, preventing mold, mildew, and wood rot.
Structural Protection
Protect floor joists, subfloors, and foundation from moisture damage. Prevention is far cheaper than structural repairs.
Eliminate Musty Odors
Stop that basement smell from permeating your home. A dry, properly sealed crawl space means fresher indoor air.
Pest Prevention
Sealed vapor barriers and properly insulated spaces are far less attractive to termites, ants, and rodents.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I insulate the floor or the foundation walls?
It depends on your approach. For a vented crawl space (traditional), insulate between floor joists (R-19 to R-30). For a sealed/encapsulated crawl space (modern), insulate foundation walls instead. We'll recommend the best approach for your situation during our free inspection.
Do I really need a vapor barrier?
Absolutely, especially in North Carolina's humid climate. Even if your crawl space appears dry, ground moisture constantly evaporates upward. Without a vapor barrier, that moisture enters your crawl space and home, causing mold, wood rot, and insulation problems. A vapor barrier is one of the most important investments you can make.
Should crawl space vents be open or closed?
Modern building science increasingly favors sealed crawl spaces. Open vents allow humid outdoor air to enter in summer, condensing on cool surfaces and creating moisture problems. However, sealing vents requires proper vapor barriers and sometimes conditioning the space. We'll assess your specific situation and recommend the best approach.
How much does crawl space insulation cost?
Costs vary based on crawl space size, current condition, and which services you need. Basic floor insulation with vapor barrier typically costs $1,500-$3,500 for an average home. Full encapsulation with spray foam is more expensive but delivers maximum performance. We provide free, detailed estimates with no obligation.
Can I do crawl space work myself?
While possible, crawl space work is physically demanding and requires proper technique to be effective. Incorrectly installed insulation (wrong facing direction, gaps, improper support) can actually trap moisture and make problems worse. Vapor barriers must be properly sealed or they don't work. Professional installation ensures it's done right the first time and typically pays for itself through better energy savings.
What if I have standing water in my crawl space?
Standing water must be addressed before insulating. We'll identify the source (poor drainage, groundwater, plumbing leak) and recommend solutions such as improving grading, installing French drains, or repairing foundation issues. Insulating over water problems only traps moisture and accelerates damage.
Ready to Fix Your Crawl Space?
Get a free crawl space inspection and estimate. We'll show you exactly what your home needs and how much you can save.