Is Spray Foam Insulation Good for Your Subfloor? 

Spray foam insulation has been commonly used to maintain energy efficiency in various parts of the home. But is it beneficial for your subfloor? 

On this page, we’ll explore the subfloor and whether spray foam insulation is a good idea.  

What is the Subfloor? 

The subfloor is a crucial structural component of a building’s flooring system or the ‘ceiling’ of your crawl space. It is the material layer that sits directly on top of the floor joists and serves as the base for the finished flooring material. 

The subfloor provides a flat, stable surface for the finished flooring to be installed on and helps distribute the weight of furniture, occupants, and other loads evenly across the floor joists. 

Subfloor materials can vary depending on the construction method and building codes, but common materials include plywood, oriented strand board (OSB), and sometimes concrete in certain types of construction. The thickness and type of subfloor material used depend on factors such as the building design, expected loads, and local building codes. 

What is Spray Foam Insulation? 

Spray foam is a type of insulation material commonly used in construction to seal gaps, cracks, and voids in buildings. It is a two-component mixture composed of isocyanate and polyol resin, which are combined at the application site using specialized equipment. 

When these two components are mixed, a chemical reaction occurs, causing the mixture to expand rapidly and form a foam-like substance. This expanding foam adheres tightly to surfaces, filling gaps and creating an air barrier. 

Is Spray Foam Insulation Good for the Subfloor? 

While spray foam insulation was a common option in the past, we do not recommend putting it or anything else on your subfloor. These are some of the reasons why spray foam insulation is not recommended: 

Putting spray foam insulation on your subfloor is not recommended. It’s best to not put anything on the subfloor because it could inhibit airflow from the crawl space to the home. It’s essential to consult with encapsulation professionals like those at Tar Heel Basement Systems to determine the best insulation options for your specific needs and circumstances. 
 

What We Recommend  

At Tar Heel, we offer foam board insulation, which heat-reflective surfaces and excellent insulation value, despite being thinner than other types of insulation. It has numerous benefits, including:  

By installing foam board insulation on the crawl space walls, air can flow upward into the home and help maintain the warmth of your floors. Our crawl space encapsulation solutions and services guarantee optimal results. 

Contact Tar Heel Basement Systems Today 

Holly Richards-Purpura

Content Writer

Holly is a Content Writer for Groundworks who has written and edited web content for the foundation services industry for almost 10 years. With a background in journalism, her passion for the written word runs deep. Holly lives in Columbus, OH, with her husband. Along with educating homeowners, she also has a big heart for the Big Apple.