Crawl Space Insulation

ExTremeBloc™ Crawl Space Insulation

Having the proper insulation in your crawl space is essential in keeping this area dry and healthy, which also translates to a healthier home. What does the insulation look like in this below-grade area of your home? If it’s wet, moldy, infested with pests, or falling off the walls and ceiling or floor joists, you’re going to have problems not only in this particular area of your home but throughout the entire structure. 

More than half the air you breathe inside your home comes from the crawl space. So, if mold and high humidity, as well as other unpleasant conditions are present, you and your family are likely breathing them in. Your floors also could feel colder during winter months, and you could be over-taxing your air conditioner during warmer months because of the lack of proper insulation. 

If any of these issues sound familiar in your home, read on to learn how you can address them with a high-quality solution from the experts at JES. 

Common Crawl Space Insulation Types & Terms

When considering what kind of insulation to use, whether it’s in your crawl space or other areas of the home, you need to consider its R-value. R-value is a measure of how well a barrier like insulation resists heat. The higher the R-value, the greater performing insulation you’ll have. 

We’ve seen a lot of things used to insulate homes and crawl spaces. Here are some of the more common materials: 

Fiberglass – This is by far the most used kind of insulation. Fiberglass typically incorporates fine strands of glass that are woven onto insulation material, which enables it to slow down heat transfer. While this is an excellent non-flammable insulator, it’s dangerous when it comes to handling and tends to soak in water. This is very attractive to bugs and other pests, and it can easily harbor mold and mold growth. The R-value for fiberglass typically ranges from 2.2 to 3.8, which is fairly low. 

Cellulose – This material is eco-friendly and fire-resistant, but it can be hard to apply. It typically is made from recycled paper, cardboard, and other organic material. Since the material is compact, it contains almost zero oxygen. The typical R-value for cellulose can go from 3.1 to 3.8, which is better than fiberglass, but still quite low. 

Polyurethane Foam – This is very light and has a superb R-value of approximately R-6.3 per inch. In addition, it’s low-density, meaning it can be easily sprayed into areas like rim joists that have no insulation. 

Polystyrene (EPS) – Polystyrene or expanded polystyrene is a waterproof insulation material with excellent thermal properties and a much smoother surface than other forms of insulators. It’s often cut into blocks or panels. The R-value of this material generally ranges from 3.6 to slightly above 4, but this depends on any other added features of the material.

Take Your Insulation to the Next Level 

Now, let us introduce you to what JES uses to insulate crawl spaces.  

ExTremeBloc™ Crawl Space Insulation is the superior choice for sealing and insulating your crawl space to create a dry, energy-efficient area. ExTremeBloc™ Crawl Space Insulation complies with building codes and has superior safety and energy ratings when compared to competitors. ExTremeBloc™ combines highly effective graphite-impregnated insulation with an expanded polystyrene core and a built-in radiant heat barrier surface. This gives your crawl space walls an unbroken plane of R-10 insulation. 

The ExTremeBloc™ Insulation Difference

ExTremeBloc™ Crawl Space Insulation panels look different because they ARE different. Tiny graphite particles permeate its foam insulation to give it that silver/gray shine. These tiny particles reflect heat and lower the material’s conductivity for a superior R-value per inch. 

In addition to resisting heat conduction, ExTremeBloc™ Crawl Space Insulation boasts a radiant barrier, which reflects heat back into your crawl space for ultimate energy savings. ExTremeBloc™ Crawl Space Insulation can also be installed on the perimeter of your floor framing system (rim joist) for maximum energy savings.  

Read on to learn more about what makes our innovative ExTremeBloc™ Crawl Space Insulation different and how it can benefit your crawl space and home. 

Some homeowners may weigh the pros and cons of pest control measures with encapsulation and insulation. But all can co-exist and greatly benefit the crawl space and entire home! It is important to properly seal and insulate the crawl space from outside elements, which makes it more difficult for pests to get in, and it is equally important to treat your crawl space and home with specific pest control measures. To maintain your home’s safety and allow for crawl space pest control, the JES team ensures a three-inch crawl space termite inspection gap from the bottom of the wooden sill when your crawl space is encapsulated and insulated. 

Can your crawl space insulation deter pests, resist moisture, and stand the test of time? If you’re concerned with your current insulation measures and you want to make the switch to a more reliable system, contact JES today to get an expert opinion with a free inspection and estimate.