Insulating floors today can be inexpensive and relatively simple to do. The average cost of a DIY floor insulation solution would be less than $200. The savings incurred from having the floor insulated will pay back the initial cost by two years.
Insulating a wooden floor:
A wooden floor allows more heat loss than a carpeted floor. Over the years, wooden floors are also likely to develop cracks, gaps, and holes through which air escapes. Sealants such as silicone can be used to plug these holes.
To reduce the amount of heat lost, an insulating material should be placed beneath the wooden floor. A good example of an insulating material for such floors is mineral wool. The mineral wool is placed in gaps under the floorboard between joists. Avoid direct contact of untreated wood materials with the earth. When insulating a carpeted floor, care should be taken to ensure that the flooring beneath the carpet has no cracks or gaps. The process of insulating a carpeted floor is same as that for wooden floor.
Insulating a tiled floor:
Tiled floors are a good conductor of heat. Therefore, lack of proper insulation can lead to a considerable amount of heat loss from the building. Unfortunately, since tiled floors are laid over a concrete base, there is little that can be done to insulate the floor. The floor should be checked for cracks and gaps in the tiles. The skirting of the tiles should be checked. Examine the grouting between the tiles for cracks or flaking.
Insulating a vinyl or framed floor:
Vinyl floors are good insulators. They can be supplemented by having an additional insulating layer placed below the vinyl layer. Special care should be taken to examine the edges of the vinyl for tears and cracks.
Framed floors usually use insulation batts with an attached vapor barrier. The batts are installed facing upwards flush against the floor. This is done to eliminate any gaps that are not visible or might occur later.
It is best to have a professional set up the floor insulation so that floorboards do not rot due to an incorrect installation.
