Crawl spaces are common in many houses in the United States. These spaces provide homeowners with access to perform different home services, including electrical wiring. While crawl spaces are important, homeowners need to maintain them to prevent moisture, an issue that could lead to structural and health problems if care is not taken. Crawl space moisture is a big concern in the US; this is why it’s recommended for some homes to use vapor barriers to prevent moisture.
When installing a vapor barrier in your crawl space, “your budget” is one factor you need to consider. As you read on, you’ll discover the different factors that influence the cost of crawl space vapor barriers in the US.
How much does it cost to install a crawl space vapor barrier?
There’s no one answer to the question above. The cost of crawl space vapor barrier installation varies depending on different factors, such as the service provider, crawl space size, and the materials used. Generally, however, the cost of installation falls between $1,200 and $4,000.
The type of material for the vapor barrier matters a lot. The materials are expensive based on their permeability rating. It’s usually advisable to go for a barrier material that’s semi-permeable or fully permeable.
Here are the factors that influence the installation cost
1. Material type
As earlier mentioned, the type of material used for a crawl space vapor barrier is the number one factor that influences the installation cost. Generally, these materials are of three different classes:
- The first class involves using glass, sheet metal, rubber membrane, or polyethylene sheet. These materials fall into this category because of their permeability nature, which is at most 0.1 perms.
- The second class materials include polystyrene, bitumen-coated kraft paper, plywood, and 30 lbs. asphalt-coated paper. These materials have a permeability level greater than 0.1 perms but less than 1.0 perms.
- The third-class materials have a permeability level, which is greater than 1.0 perms but less than 10 perms. The materials under this category include gypsum board, fiberglass, house warp, brick, and concrete block.
If durability is what you’re after, it’s often advisable to go for completely permeable crawl space vapor barriers. Of course, this will certainly up the overall cost of the installation project.
2. Where is your home located?
The location of your home is another factor that influences the installation cost of crawl space vapor barriers. Of course, you should expect the installation cost to go up if you reside in a big city.
3. Cost of labor
When it comes to installing vapor barriers for crawl spaces, there are two ways to go about it. First, you can decide to do it yourself. This approach often seems less expensive. However, when you factor in the price of materials, time, effort, and other things, you’ll realize it pays to go for the second option, which is hiring a reliable and professional contractor, such as Vanity Vents, for the installation project.
You’ll certainly get satisfactory results by hiring a professional for the job. However, this will also increase the installation cost. You can learn more about how Vanity Vents can help you resolve your crawl space moisture problems.
Also Read: A Homebuyers Guide To Earnest Money.
