Insulation under new floor in kitchen?


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Old 12-11-19, 12:00 PM
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Insulation under new floor in kitchen?

We're thinking of ripping up old tile floor and replacing with vinyl planks.

Our kitchen is notoriously cold (lack of baseboard heat and, possibly, cold crawl space under it (which we're separately working on insulating).

In any case, is there a simple insulation product that could perhaps be installed under the new vinyl? Or maybe vinyl planks just don't really get cold anyway (especially compared to tile) so it might not be necessary?

I'd rather not go with an actual heated floor of any kind.

Thank you.
 
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Old 12-11-19, 12:24 PM
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Many types of vinyl flooring have a foam backing. Its there to cushion the floor and really isn't for insulation, but it does help isolate the plank somewhat. Anything will likely feel warmer than your existing tile. The only things that will make the floor warmer are insulating and heating the crawl space or adding more heat to the kitchen and/or floor. Insulation alone does not make things warmer if there is no heat source to keep the insulation itself warm.
 
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Old 12-11-19, 12:55 PM
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Understood and thank you very much!!
 
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Old 12-12-19, 04:03 AM
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Here's a link on crawl space issues and fixes. I love photograph no. 5 but realize not everyone is ready for that. But once encapsulated and insulated it can be heated as part of the house and you'll have nice warm floors above.
https://www.buildingscience.com/docu...in-crawlspaces

I'm retired but have done many infrared inspections of basements and crawlspaces and almost always find cold air leaking in at the top of the foundation, even on new homes. Check and seal that area and then insulate and it should warm the floors above and will probably reduce overall heating costs.

Bud
 
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Old 12-12-19, 05:36 AM
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Great, thank you as well!
 
 

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