How Much Does It Cost to Encapsulate a Crawl Space in Colorado?

Many homeowners don’t think about crawl space encapsulation in Colorado when they decide to insulate the area underneath the house. Even though Colorado has a dry climate, we strongly recommend adding a vapor barrier to crawl space walls as part of any insulation upgrade.

What Is Crawl Space Encapsulation?

Encapsulation complements the addition of insulation to the crawl space. It consists of adding a layer of poly plastic sheeting to the floor of the crawl space to form a vapor barrier. This prevents moisture from accumulating under the house.

Crawl spaces without a vapor barrier are often damp. This leaves insulation and building components vulnerable to water and mold damage, as well as infestation by pests. You might also notice cold floors and unpleasant smells in the area above the former crawl space vents, as well as issues with allergies and respiratory conditions due to airborne pollutants entering your home.

Ventilation is essential for all crawl spaces, but sometimes airflow isn’t enough to thwart the buildup of water vapor. An experienced crawl space insulation contractor can provide additional waterproofing with encapsulation.

Read More: Should Crawl Space Insulation Have a Vapor Barrier?

Two Types of Crawl Space Encapsulation 

When comparing a conditioned crawl space to a cold (vented) crawl space, the key differences lie in insulation, air control, moisture management, pest control, and overall energy efficiency.

Conditioned Crawl Space

A conditioned crawl space offers numerous benefits by maintaining a stable environment under your home.

• Air Sealed: The space is sealed off from external air, typically with insulation installed on the walls rather than the ceiling. Vents are closed or removed to enhance this seal.
• Humidity & Moisture Control: A vapor barrier is placed over both the floor and walls to manage moisture levels, significantly decreasing the risk of mold growth and wood rot. Dehumidifiers or HVAC connections are often employed to regulate humidity.
• Energy Efficiency: By conditioning the air in the crawl space to keep it at a consistent temperature, energy loss is minimized, enhancing the home’s energy efficiency and potentially reducing utility bills.
• Improved Air Quality: Reduced moisture and fewer drafts lead to better air quality, lowering the exposure to allergens and other airborne pollutants that could enter the living areas.
• Pest Prevention: Sealing the crawl space also acts as a deterrent to pests like rodents and insects, helping to keep them out of your home.

Ultimately, a conditioned crawl space contributes to a healthier, more energy-efficient household, providing peace of mind for homeowners.

Cold (Vented) Crawl Space

Cold vented crawl spaces have been a traditional choice for homes, but they come with various challenges that homeowners should consider.

• Ventilation: These spaces are vented to the outside, allowing external air to flow freely through vents. This was traditionally thought to help mitigate moisture issues.
• Moisture Accumulation: The free exchange of air and contact with the ground often leads to moisture problems, facilitating mold growth, wood rot, and potential structural damage.
• Insulation Challenges: Insulation is usually installed between floor joists, which separates the crawl space from the living area but may not effectively control temperature or prevent moisture buildup.
• Energy Inefficiency: Vented crawl spaces can reduce a home’s energy efficiency. Cold air infiltration in winter raises heating costs, while hot air entrance in summer increases cooling costs.
• Air Quality Concerns: The open nature of a cold crawl space allows allergens, pollutants, and pests to enter and potentially migrate into the home, affecting the indoor air quality.

In summary, while vented crawl spaces may seem beneficial, the associated risks to energy efficiency, moisture management, and air quality often outweigh the perceived benefits, prompting many homeowners to consider encapsulated alternatives.

Recommended Solution

Conditioned crawl spaces offer superior moisture control, energy efficiency, and indoor air quality by sealing off the space from outside elements. 

“I always recommend a conditioned crawl space”, says Casey Staley, co-owner of REenergizeCO, says “Many of our customers are looking for warmer floors in their homes and this option provides the type of comfort they desire.”

A conditioned crawl space is preferred for long-term health and energy savings in most climates as Cold (vented) crawl spaces are prone to moisture, energy inefficiency, and potential air quality issues as they allow outside air to circulate freely.

What Does Crawl Space Encapsulation Cost?

Multiple factors go into calculating how much it costs to encapsulate a home’s crawl space. These cost factors include:

1. The Size of the Crawl Space: Bigger crawl spaces cost more to insulate and encapsulate. At REenergizeCO, crawl space insulation and encapsulation costs $4 to $7 per square foot.
2. Materials: Estimates should include the vapor barrier as well as insulation upgrades. The cost of polyethylene plastic sheeting varies by thickness, with 7 mil (the minimum thickness needed for encapsulation) costing less than 20 mil (the maximum). There are two main options for insulating a crawl space: spray foam and fiberglass batts. Spray foam insulation is more expensive than fiberglass batts, but it also tends to be the best option for Colorado crawl spaces.
3. Labor: The complexity of the job determines the cost of labor. For example, a project that requires insulation removal and replacement as well as encapsulation will cost more than encapsulation alone.
4. The Condition of the Crawl Space: If your crawl space is in poor condition due to issues such as water damage, mold growth, and insect and rodent activity, repairs will need to be performed prior to encapsulation. This may require the services of multiple vendors—such as exterminators, restoration professionals, carpenters, and builders—before the insulation company can get to work. Obviously, the extent of repairs and other services will mean a higher price tag
5. Permits & Inspections: Requirements for permitting and inspections (as well as the cost) vary by city and depend heavily on the work involved. The insulation contractor you choose should be well-versed in the permitting process and applicable building codes.
6. The City and County of Denver requires a building permit for “most construction, alteration, or repair work.”
   • Permits are required for most building projects in the City of Fort Collins.
   • In Larimer County, however, a permit is not required for the installation or replacement of insulation.

There are too many variables involved in estimating the cost of a crawl space encapsulation project in Colorado. Everything from the size of your home to the scope of the specific project needs to be considered.

The best way to determine how much an encapsulation project might cost is to consult a knowledgeable insulation contractor in your area.

Is It Worth It to Encapsulate a Crawl Space?

Yes, crawl space encapsulation in Colorado is 100% worthwhile from a cost standpoint. Insulating and encapsulating the crawl space can help make your whole home more efficient, leading to substantial savings on your utility bills every month.

Other benefits of crawl space encapsulation include:

• A more comfortable living environment: A properly sealed crawl space addresses many of the common complaints people have about living in an inefficient house, including cold spots, poor air circulation, excess humidity, and musty odors. This improves the overall comfort of the home.
• Improved indoor air quality: Sealing the crawl space prevents allergens, mold spores, and other particles from entering the inside of your house.
• Prevention of structural damage: The foundation, floor joists, footings, and other components can be damaged by excess water vapor and mold. By controlling moisture levels, encapsulation reduces the risk of damage and promotes structural integrity.
• Keeping pests out: Mice, rats, spiders, and all kinds of bugs like to take up residence in warm, moist environments. These conditions don’t exist in a properly encapsulated crawl space, making an infestation less likely.
• Enhanced HVAC performance: Upgrading crawl space insulation and adding a vapor barrier can help regulate the indoor temperature. This places less demand on heating and air conditioning, which can prolong the lifespan of the HVAC system and up your energy savings.

Read More: Do I Need to Insulate My Crawl Space?

Can I Encapsulate a Crawl Space Myself?

The DIY approach might save you some money, but there are significant disadvantages. Crawl spaces are dark and confined, with a clearance of just 12–18 inches in some areas. The dirt floor is often uneven and full of small rocks and other debris. All of these issues leave little room to move around.

Not only is do-it-yourself encapsulation a chore, but doing it wrong can actually exacerbate moisture issues. This can damage existing insulation, the home’s foundation itself, and wood and metal components underneath the house.

Although it might cost more upfront, we strongly advise homeowners to leave crawl space encapsulation to the professionals. Professional installers know how to position the vapor barrier properly so it keeps moisture away from insulation and protects your home. Expert installation also maximizes energy efficiency and return on investment in the form of lower electric bills.

Is Crawl Space Encapsulation Covered by Insurance?

As a rule, homeowners insurance does not cover crawl space encapsulation in Colorado. Insurance coverage varies, so you should definitely check your policy, but the majority of homeowners will not be able to turn to insurance for help with the cost of the crawl space encapsulation costs here.

One possible exception involves the following scenario:

1. The crawl space was already encapsulated, either by you or a previous owner.
2. Your insulation and/or encapsulation materials were damaged by a covered loss.

Damage from flooding is an example of a covered loss. If your sealed crawl space is flooded due to a broken pipe, excess rainfall, or other peril, your homeowners insurance should pay for repairs.

Talk to an insurance agent if you have questions about what your homeowners policy covers. If you are interested in crawl space insulation and encapsulation, REenergizeCO can help.

Contact REenergizeCO Today!

Our efficiency crews specialize in insulation upgrades and crawl space encapsulation in Colorado. We serve homeowners throughout the Front Range from offices in Denver and Fort Collins.

Cost is a major concern for any efficiency upgrade. At REenergizeCO, we evaluate your crawl space and identify the best solution to save money based on your needs, goals, and budget.Find out if you can benefit from crawl space encapsulation by reaching out to REenergizeCO!