Ask a tradesperson
Architectural Services
Crawl space insulation
Hi,
My house was built in the 30s and it has a crawl space underneath. It's quite a cold house. Could I put some kingspan insulation between the floorboards to keep the heat in?
I'm concerned it'll disrupt the air flow.
Thank you
5 Answers from MyBuilder Architectural Designers
Best Answer
Ibstock • Member since 20 Feb 2015 • 1 job, 100% positive feedback
You're right to think about air flow; ventilation to the underside of timber floors is essential. You'll probably have air bricks - which you can see on the outside walls at low level - designed to allow air flow beneath the floor. You just have to ensure the air flow is maintained - which really means insulating between the joists only. You need to avoid bridging any air inlets or means of cross ventilation. I would choose a contractor with the right experience.
Answered 1st Apr 2020
Huddersfield • Member since 13 Jun 2013 • 26 jobs, 100% positive feedback
as all the above, it is a good idea as long as you don't block airflow underneath. However it will not be an easy job, either meaning lifting floor boards throughout or crawling under (depending on the depth of the void). If you pay a builder it will not be cheap and will be very disruptive. There are better options which would be far more cost effective and easier to do.
Answered 2nd Apr 2020
Bath • Member since 10 Jan 2020 • No feedback yet
As was common during the Victorian era, when suspended timber floors were prevalent, airflow should be maintained via grilles ideally in opposite external walls across the crawl space and not through the floorboards as that would create an unwanted draught. It would therefore depend on the amount of insulation and the depth of it and its relation to the location of the grilles in this 1930s context to make a judgement as to whether this would prevent air flowing between the grilles/outlets in the external walls.
Answered 1st Apr 2020
Altrincham, Greater Manchester • Member since 13 Aug 2018 • 15 jobs, 100% positive feedback
There is absolutely no reason why you should not fit kingspan insulation between the floor joists. you just need to make sure you did not obstruct the air flow through the air bricks and if there aren't any errors get some fixed in position to allow for a good airflow.
Answered 2nd Apr 2020
Keith Strong Architectural Design
Witney • Member since 26 May 2016 • 2 jobs, 100% positive feedback
Insulation manufacturers Kingspan have produced a You Tube video explaining how to insulate between the joists of a suspended timber floor. Search Kingspan Insulation Suspended Timber Floor on You Tube. It may be necessary to approach a building surveyor for advice on the amount of insulation to install or contact Kingspan Technical department for advice.
Answered 2nd Apr 2020
Related Questions
-
Loft boarding and insulation - raising floor, laying 100mm thick insulation on top of existing insulation, then board onto it.
Hi, I am looking to create some storage space in my loft and also insulate it correctly. Currently there are some lose boards laid...
-
Loft Insulation to convert it in a living space
I need to insulate my loft and covert it to a living space. It's very important for me to have a guarantee that the insulation...
-
Efflorescence on outside walls at level of crawl space
Hello, white marks (I assume efflorescence) have appeared in recent months all over the bottom of the outside walls of our...
-
Loft insulation, roof insulation, or both in an unused loft space
I have an old house (approx. 1900) with a cold loft. The floor of the loft has limited wool insulation and the roof itself has no...

Post your job to find high quality tradespeople and get free quotes
Question Categories
- All Questions
- Architectural Services
- Bathroom Fitting
- Bricklaying
- Carpentry & Joinery
- Carpet & Lino
- Central Heating
- Chimneys & Fireplaces
- Conservatories
- Conversions - General
- Damp Proofing
- Demolition & Waste Clearance
- Driveways
- Electrical
- Extensions
- Fascias, Soffits & Guttering
- Fencing
- Gas Work
- Groundwork & Foundations
- Handyman
- Hard Flooring
- Insulation
- Kitchen Fitting
- Landscape Gardening
- Locksmiths
- Loft Conversions
- New Builds
- Painting & Decorating
- Plastering
- Plumbing
- Restoration & Refurbishment
- Roofing
- Security Systems
- Stonemasonry
- Tiling
- Tree Surgery
- Windows