I will be building a 1 storey cottage later this year. The cottage will be built over a large rock which has been cleaned of all earth. There is no basement so the cottage will be supported on cement pads and then cement block as piers. The piers will range from 2 feet to 6 feet high. I have read some of your suggestions on not insulating the cottage floor. Since the exterior of the piers will be wide open under the cottage(except for some latis/ chicken wire we will put up to try and keep animals out), can we still insulate the cottage floor between the joists? Also would we put vapour barrier up on the warm side (just under the floor sheating) or not bother?
Answer:
Insulating the floor will attract moisture and keep it there long enough to create mold and eventual rot. You have lots of room under there to create an insulated crawl space so I'd go that route instead.
Courtesy of Ren Molnar, Construction Consultant at HomeFocus.com. I can also be reached at (613) 748-3003 and Home Focus – The Radio Show is broadcast live 8 to 10 A.M. (Ottawa, Ont. time) on Saturdays on www.cfra.com. In the interests of retaining credibility and in fairness to all, I cannot recommend prices, people nor companies for various projects.
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