Chapter 6: Roofs
IN THIS LESSON
Options:
1. New Construction: Conditioned Crawlspace with Insulated Slab (8.2)
Treating the crawlspace like a mini-basement with an insulated wall and slab is the highest performance crawlspace option.
2. Retrofit: Conditioned Crawlspace with Soil-Barrier (8.3)
This is the best retrofit option in crawlspaces that contain mechanicals or ductwork, or are interconnected with a conditioned basement.
Install a Sealed Seam heavy duty (12 mil) soil barrier to seal the space from water vapor and soil gasses.
3. Retrofit: Vented Crawlspace with Floor Encapsulation (8.4)
Acceptable option for crawlspaces without mechanicals or ductwork.
Install new plastic soil barrier with lapped seams. Heavy duty soil barrier with sealed seams optional.
Air space should be maintained between floor and spray foam if underfloor hydronic tubing is being used for radiant heat.
To Know Before Building or Retrofitting a Crawlspace:
Moisture management: all surface and ground water must be properly managed prior to sealing and insulating a crawlspace.
DO NOT route ductwork through unconditioned attics or crawlspaces. All water supply lines must be insulated even in a conditioned crawlspace.
Cleanup: crawl must be thoroughly cleaned of all dust and debris after construction is complete and any damage to the soil barrier must be repaired.
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