There are several types of floor insulation based on their performance and material used. Divided into Low, Regular and High-performance floor insulation. There are enormous benefits of Regular and High-performance
floor insulation, but the question remains still for which is better to install indoors and outdoors?
Regular Performance Floor Insulation:
Regular performance floor insulations are relatively inexpensive and widely used in major renovations and sometimes construction/foundation.
Materials used:
- Fiberglass
- Mineral (slag or rock) wool
- Natural Fibers
- Plastic Fibers
- Exterior Foam Boards
- Interior walls for renovation
- Foam beads or air also incorporated into the concrete mix to increase the R-Value
- Foil Faced Kraft paper
- Polyethylene bubbles
- Plastic film
- Kraft Paper
- Cardboard
Types:
- Concrete Block Insulation and insulating concrete blocks
- Blanket: Batts and rolls
- Reflective System
Application:
- Unfinished walls
- Foundation walls
- Floors and Ceilings
- Major Renovations
- Insulating Concrete Blocks
- Unfinished Ceilings and floors
Advantages:
- Relatively inexpensive
- Blanket-type does not require specialized skills.
- Suited for joist spacing and stud that is relatively free from obstructions.
- Moderates indoor temperature by insulating outside of concrete blocks.
- Aerated
- If obstructions are present or irregular framing, bubble form recommended and most suitable.
- Effectiveness highly depends upon spacing and is most effective at preventing downward Heat Flow
High-performance floor insulation:
High-performance floor insulations are relatively expensive and widely used for new constructions and places that withstand high temperatures.
Materials used:
- Fiberglass
- Mineral (Slag or rock) wool
- Polystyrene
- Polyisocyanurate
- Polyurethane
- Foam Blocks
- Foam Boards
Types:
- Rigid Fibrous or Fiber Insulation
- Foam Board or Rigid Foam
- Insulating Concrete Forms (ICFs)
Application:
- Foundation walls for new construction
- Those places that require insulation which can withstand high temperatures
- Unfinished walls
- Ducts in unconditioned spaces
- Can be installed as part of the building structure
Advantage:
- Can be installed in places with high temperature or direct heat exposure.
- Can withstand higher temperatures
- Yields higher insulating values for potentially and relatively less thickness
- When installing continuously over joists or frames, it can block thermal short circuits.
- Creates High Thermal Resistance
Which is better? High-performance floor insulation or Regular Performance Floor Insulation?
It entirely depends upon the requirement of a building and area for which quality of floor insulation must use. Regular Performance Floor insulation tends to withstand lesser heat than High-performance floor insulation.
If the advantages and disadvantages kept in focus of both floor insulation, Regular Performance Floor insulation comes with cheaper costs than High-performance floor insulation. That makes it easier to use in areas where renovation is required. Since a building had already built with high-performance floor insulation, during an improvement, there is entirely no use to install high-performance insulation again. Regular performance insulation would yield same and comparatively better results during renovation projects.
While for new constructions and foundation of a building, High-performance floor insulation highly recommended. The foundations of a building should always stand firm for a long-lasting life. The
Foam board or rigid foam can be placed almost in any part of your home which makes it widely available and cost-effective. Regular performance floor insulation
When Regular Performance Floor insulation used in the foundation of unfinished buildings, it is installed over the surface of blocks either on the interior or on the exterior. There is an added advantage of installing exterior insulation, within conditioned spaces the thermal mass of the blocks can be contained. If the building lacks steel and concrete for structural reasons, concrete block insulation can be filled in them to raise the average R-value.
High-performance floor insulation can use at places where high thermal resistance is required. Insulating Concrete Foams tends to have relatively higher thermal resistance than any other. Because of being expensive than any other Floor Insulation, this is recommended to use during the new construction of a building. It can typically withstand R-20 Thermal Resistance. Reduces heat conduction through steel studs and wood, thus acting as a barrier.
