Crawl Space Encapsulation vs Vapor Barriers

What is the difference between crawl space encapsulation and crawl space vapor barriers?

Many questions arise when discussing vapor barriers and crawl space encapsulation. Crawl space encapsulation: what is it? A vapor barrier: what is it? Do they matter to my house in the Southeastern Region?

Both methods strive to achieve the same goal, but their approaches and execution differ significantly. Your approach will rely on several variables, including the layout of your home, the condition of your crawl space right now, and your intended spending limit.All things related to crawl spaces are our specialty at Carolina Duct and Crawl. More specifically, we understand the importance of encapsulation and vapor barriers in the Southeastern Areas due to the region's high rainfall frequency. Understanding the distinctions between crawl space encapsulation and vapor barrier installations will help you decide which option is ideal for your crawl space and why you should seek expert guidance from a crawl space provider.

Crawl Space Encapsulation: What Is It? During crawl space encapsulation, a technician uses 12mm to 20mm of heavy-duty vapor to cover every inch of the earth. This covers the crawl space's floor and walls. Vents are sealed to incorporate the crawl space into the building envelope.

Thick vapor barrier and reinforced insulation are combined in an encased crawl area of your house. You create a controlled, efficient environment when you fix air leaks and adjust moisture levels in your crawl space. The benefits of crawl space encapsulation are numerous for every homeowner.

Benefits of Crawl Space Encapsulation: By reducing the effects of temperature and moisture in your crawl space, you're reducing and getting rid of environmental disturbances like:

• Damp insulation

•  Moisture in the air

•  Sweating windows

• Infestations of pests (like termites)

• Rust in the ducts, extending their life; dry rot

• Cozy flooring

• Mold and mildew 

The benefits of crawl space encapsulation for your house include lower energy costs and better air quality. Moreover, it keeps pipes from exploding. It also raises your home's resale value.

Finally, crawl space encapsulation retains cold air in the summer and warm air in the winter. 

What is a Vapor Barrier? The industry standard Black 6mm plastic material is used to line a crawl space entirely during the installation of vapor barriers.

Fortified 9mm heavy-duty vapor barrier plastic is what Carolina Duct And Crawl uses on all of our customers' crawl spaces to meet our company's quality standards and specifications. This material has two sides: reflective black on one, which helps identify rat infestations, and reflecting white on the other, which brightens the area. Installing vapor barriers is less immersive than encapsulation since they only go as far as the walls and columns rather than over the dirt floors. However, it offers many of the same advantages as crawl space encapsulation, as we've highlighted in our blog, including 

• Better air quality

• Lower energy costs

• Mold control

• Insect protection.

To see if vapor barriers are the right option for your crawl space, visit our service page.