flexiblefullpage - default
Currently Reading

How to Build a Closed Crawl Space the Right Way

Advertisement
billboard - default
Construction

How to Build a Closed Crawl Space the Right Way


July 30, 2019
House with a crawl space
Photo: Unsplash/Craig McLachan

Closed crawl spaces can eliminate mold and moisture problems in homes, but only if they’re built correctly, The Energy & Environmental Building Alliance reports.

Twenty years ago, nearly all crawl spaces were ventilated with outside air in an effort to control moisture. Most building codes required such venting.

The problem is that atmospheric venting is ineffective, to put it mildly. It can actually cause moisture problems, especially in humid climates when warm, moist air enters the crawl space and condenses on the framing.

Things began to improve in the early and mid-2000s after field research by Raleigh, N.C. Advanced Energy in mixed-humid climates found that properly detailed closed crawl spaces (with no atmospheric vents to the outside) not only avoided those moisture problems but also made homes generally healthier and more comfortable. Such homes had warmer floors, reduced drafts, less dust, fewer pests, and more stable indoor relative humidity.

Proper detailing is more than eliminating vents: it's a systematic approach to air-sealing, insulation, water management, and space conditioning. Remember that you're bringing the crawl space into the home's conditioned building envelope, so you need to treat it with appropriate care.

Read more
 

Related Stories

Energy Efficiency

Meet the Zero Energy Ready Home Program Version 2

The latest version of the ZERH program aims to push home energy efficiency and performance to the next level

Energy Efficiency

These Six Energy-Efficient Home Upgrades Are About to Get a Lot More Affordable

These all-electric home upgrades can boost a home's energy efficiency, and with the help of government subsidies, they're also more affordable than ever before

Solar

California Announces Plans to Cut Rooftop Solar Incentives—Here’s What That Means for Homeowners

California's solar incentive program just took a major hit after the state’s Public Utilities Commission voted to reduce payments to solar customers

Advertisement
boombox1 -
Advertisement
native1 - default
halfpage2 -

More in Category




Advertisement
native2 - default
Advertisement
halfpage1 -

Create an account

By creating an account, you agree to Pro Builder's terms of service and privacy policy.


Daily Feed Newsletter

Get Pro Builder in your inbox

Each day, Pro Builder's editors assemble the latest breaking industry news, hottest trends, and most relevant research, delivered to your inbox.

Save the stories you care about

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet lorem ipsum dolor sit amet lorem ipsum dolor sit amet.

The bookmark icon allows you to save any story to your account to read it later
Tap it once to save, and tap it again to unsave

It looks like you’re using an ad-blocker!

Pro Builder is an advertisting supported site and we noticed you have ad-blocking enabled in your browser. There are two ways you can keep reading:

Disable your ad-blocker
Disable now
Subscribe to Pro Builder
Subscribe
Already a member? Sign in
Become a Member

Subscribe to Pro Builder for unlimited access

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipisicing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua.