Best Way to Insulate a Cabin Floor for Warm Feet in the Winter

[@baileylineroad]

Build your own cabin HERE -> baileylineroadlearning.com/p/cozy-cabin

[@herbrotter]

Holy Cow!!! You hit the nail on the head Steve!!! Excellent Video!!! In the past, I have suggested and preferred using an XPS based product instead of EPS with a Compressive Strength, of 25 psi at 2 inches for an R10 rating, a/k/a Owens Corning Formula 250 (there are other manufactures that meet the same rating). Now a days, I would recommend at least another 1 - 2 inches for a better R value. Wood sleepers on top to accept the next layer of plywood, then frame and finish the floor accordingly. Continuous insulation on bottom, as Steve correctly described in the video is the best thing. It is also important that the exterior walls should have some sort of continuous insulation to lock the thermal resistance in. This is about BTU retention, keeping the heat or cooling in while using less energy. Building Science is a reality and is not fiction.

[@davidrobins7753]

Thanks for the good. clear description for this kind of flooring and excellent reasons why this works.

[@phillyfathead]

Wise words to live by!

[@richdobbs6595]

What about water based radiant heating? I've used that in a basement finish off, and it seemed to work well, but I really didn't spend that much time down there. Also, what about putting OSB between the beams, and then putting insulation on top of that and between the floor joists. The bottom would be continuous. Would that keep mice out? I've also heard that mice don't dig into insulation that has lime mortar in it.

[@LeaOverAtVatic]

Brilliant advice

[@scottgingrich3666]

under floor radiant heat ,pex tubing, between floor joyce running through a heat exchanger off the water heater!

[@blindtomsadventures2067]

So if you have -30 below temperature is blowing under your cabin that is better than putting skirting on? turn on the light in the 45° ground temperature takeover? i’m confused

[@pat5170]

Great information on your video's thanks. I have a question we live in south west Ontario and have a covered porch with a wood burning fireplace at one end. We are looking at turning this room into a three season room. I would like to insulate the floor (20' X 16' wood deck 24' off the ground). I can't insulate above the floor joist as I want the flooring to stay below the sliding door sill. I was thinking of installing 2' rigid insulation in between the floor joist (top side) directly against the sheeting. I was going to use a wood lattice for the skirt so that it still breaths under the structure. Would you suggest a different method?

[@baileylineroad]

Thanks for your note and kind words! Your strategy sounds like a good one, though there are a few things to think about. While you could cut rigid pieces of foam to fit between the joists and tight to the underside of the subfloor, you'll get best results if you cut the foam about 3/4" small on all sides, then fill spaces with spray foam. This will seal well and give you optimal performance. My only concern with exposed foam on the underside of a floor over soil is the tendency of ants to burrow into the foam and make a mess. One solution to this is to cover the foam with more plywood on the bottom face. This is tricky work to well. You might find it works better to intentionally cut the plywood smaller than needed, then cover the edge gaps with strips of wood like trim. I hope this helps! Bye for now, Steve

[@jamiecraswell9368]

I have a totally off grid camp so not able to use in floor heating any suggestions?

[@dmet5810]

Depends on the size of your solar system. If you have lots of storage/charging capacity then in floor electric heating is definitely a possibility. I have it and it works perfectly

[@bigal25938]

Sandwiching foam between subfloors sounds like it would result in squeaky floors. Whole thing sounds pretty expensive. I’d put shoes on.

[@dmet5810]

This is basically a similar technology to SIPS panels

[@tom95521]

It seems you don't believe in the thin under subfloor Reflectix type radiant barrier bubble insulation that is stapled between the floor joists. So much conflicting information on the internet.

[@baileylineroad]

Good Morning Tom! I have used radiant barrier bubble insulation before, but it's not really insulation. It has only negligible R values. I believe it offers some value, but I always use it with true insulation whenever I do use it. Drop by my website baileylineroad.com for a visit sometime. You'll find lots of stuff there, including tool giveaways, articles and videos of interest to hands-on, how-to people. Bye for now and thanks for watching! Steve

[@tom95521]

@@baileylineroad I am remodeling a small shed type roof above a sunroom. The plan is decking, air space, radiant film, air space, rigid foam insulation with vents top and bottom. I figure if it's good enough for NASA (space blankets), it's worth trying. You have a great website. Thanks.

[@Jayda08]

Hydronic floor heating is the way to go.

[@vegtamvanderveg]

electric floor heating is very bad for your health!