Foam Board Insulation Floor Joists
For large cracks use the low expansion foam insulation.
Foam board insulation floor joists. Less than the height of the rim joist. According to the 2012 irc the minimum r value for floor assemblies is r 13 in zones 1 and 2 r 19 in zones 3 and 4 r 30 in zones 5 and 6 and r 38 in zones 7 and 9. Do not cut it thinner than the width of the joist try to make it as wide as that. Buy more than you think you will need to be on the safe side.
Thicker foam board will offer more support and insulation for the floors. If there are problems with the board staying in place a bead of foam board adhesive can be placed on the back side of the panel. Once you have the board measure and mark it where it will need to be cut. Instead of installing the foam insulation between floor joists in the crawl space the foam board is installed against the crawl space foundation walls.
You want it snug but not to. The best insulation material for crawl spaces is rigid foam insulation board. Rigid foam is the best insulation for rim joists. Go inside the crawl space during the day.
Wall insulation systems require that the band joist area of the floor frame be insulated. If you want to insulate a floor assembly by leaving the joist bays empty and installing rigid foam on the underside of the joists here are a few things to keep in mind. Place the foam board against the rim joist and seal around the remaining edges with the spray foam. If you need to insulate these rim joists it s best to hire a cellulose insulation contractor.
Two story homes usually have another ring of rim joists above the first floor ceiling. Cut the foam into 8 ft long strips 1 8 in. With the light back on seal up these cracks with the silicone caulk. Unlike fiberglass rigid foam insulation does not absorb water support mold or allow air to pass through providing that joints between boards are sealed with tape.
To prevent these problems only air impermeable insulation either rigid foam or spray polyurethane foam should be used to insulate the interior of a rim joist. Wall insulation shall begin 3 inches below the top of the masonry foundation wall and shall extend down to 3 inches above the top of the footing or concrete floor 3 inches above the interior ground surface or 24 inches below the outside finished ground level whichever is less. Seal rim joists and sills.