Houses on piers and raised homes
Raised Floor & Crawl Space Insulation in New Orleans, LA
Warmer floors in January, less damp and fewer drafts all year.
- Free on-site estimates
- Itemized written quotes with material, depth and R-value
- Under-floor, attic and moisture problems checked first
The Floor Is Open to the Weather
Raised floor and crawl space insulation matters more in New Orleans than almost anywhere. Shotgun houses, Creole cottages and bungalows often sit a few feet up on brick piers with the space underneath open to the air, and many newer homes were raised high after 2005. In both cases the floor framing hangs in outside air. Drafts come up between the boards, floors are cold on the few chilly days, and humid summer air meets cool ducts and framing and leaves moisture behind.
Open pier houses
When the perimeter is open, the floor itself is the insulation line. Fiberglass batts between joists tend to sag and fall, especially once they get damp. Closed-cell foam sprayed to the underside of the subfloor seals the gaps, insulates, and does not soak up water. The Department of Energy suggests R-13 for an uninsulated floor in zone 2. We size the foam thickness to reach that or more.
Enclosed crawl spaces
Some raised homes have a skirt or foundation wall around the perimeter. In that case the crawl space can be closed: a heavy liner on the ground, sealed vents, foam on the perimeter walls, and humidity control. Then the floor above does not need insulation. If water stands in the space after rain, drainage has to be fixed first.
Highly raised homes
Homes raised eight feet or more often have the underside of the first floor exposed to wind. Closed-cell foam there works like it does under a low pier house, and a protective covering below may be needed to shield it. Local flood rules can limit what goes into the space below the lowest floor; ask your building department if you plan to enclose it.
Termites and plumbing
LSU AgCenter calls the Formosan termite Louisiana's most destructive insect. Under the house, we keep foam off the tops of piers and leave room to see termite tubes. We also look for plumbing leaks, because a leak above foam can rot a subfloor unseen. Get a free estimate
What Under-Floor Work Covers
From a pier house to an enclosed crawl space.
Closed-cell under the subfloor
Seals between floorboards and insulates the joist bays.
Ground liner
Heavy vapor barrier on the soil of an enclosed crawl space.
Perimeter wall foam
Closed-cell on skirt or foundation walls when the space is sealed.
Vent sealing
Closing vents on a sealed crawl space.
Fallen batt removal
Pulling sagging or wet batts before new work.
Published Crawl Space and Floor Costs
| Job | Range and source |
|---|---|
| Crawl space encapsulation | $3 to $10 per sq ft, $3,000 to $15,000 (HomeGuide) |
| Crawl space vapor barrier | $1,200 to $4,000 (HomeGuide) |
| Closed-cell on crawl space walls | $2 to $5 per sq ft (HomeGuide) |
| Crawl space vent sealing | $150 to $450 (HomeGuide) |
| Crawl space, spray foam | $2,000 to $4,000 (HomeGuide); $1,000 to $5,900 (Fixr) |
| Closed-cell, installed | $3.00 to $5.00 per sq ft (HomeGuide) |
These are national ranges from HomeGuide's 2026 crawl space and spray foam guides and Fixr's 2025 spray foam guide. Clearance under the house, square footage and drainage set the price. The written estimate we send after crawling the space is your price.
How Under-Floor Work Goes
1. Get under the house
Check clearance, framing, leaks, wiring, ducts and termite signs.
2. Choose the approach
Floor insulation for open piers; encapsulation for enclosed spaces.
3. Clean out
Remove fallen batts and debris.
4. Install
Foam, liner or wall insulation as quoted.
5. Photos
You get photos of the finished work.
Why Choose Us for Raised Floor & Crawl Space Insulation
We get under there
Quotes come from looking under the house.
Closed-cell outdoors
No open-cell or bare batts where outside air and water reach.
Pier tops left clear
Room to check for termites is kept.
Raised Floor & Crawl Space Insulation Questions
Why are my floors so cold in winter?
A raised floor with little or no insulation is exposed to outside air underneath. Foam under the subfloor fixes the drafts and the chill.
Can you insulate if there is only a foot of clearance?
Sometimes, depending on access. Very low spaces may need a larger opening or a different approach. We check during the visit.
Will foam under my house help in summer too?
Yes. It keeps humid air from leaking up through the floor and reduces moisture on ducts and framing.
What about ducts under the house?
Ducts under a raised house should be well sealed and insulated. We point out any that are sweating or falling apart.
Do you insulate the floors of porches and additions?
Yes, when they are enclosed and conditioned. The same under-floor approach applies.
Raised Floor & Crawl Space Insulation Service Areas
- Spray Foam Insulation in New Orleans, LA
- Spray Foam Insulation in Metairie, LA
- Spray Foam Insulation in Kenner, LA
- Spray Foam Insulation in Harahan, LA
- Spray Foam Insulation in River Ridge, LA
- Spray Foam Insulation in Jefferson, LA
- Spray Foam Insulation in Gretna, LA
- Spray Foam Insulation in Terrytown, LA
- Spray Foam Insulation in Harvey, LA
- Spray Foam Insulation in Marrero, LA
- Spray Foam Insulation in Westwego, LA
- Spray Foam Insulation in Belle Chasse, LA
- Spray Foam Insulation in Chalmette, LA
- Spray Foam Insulation in Arabi, LA
- Spray Foam Insulation in Slidell, LA
- Spray Foam Insulation in Destrehan, LA
Get a Raised Floor & Crawl Space Insulation Estimate
Raised house with cold floors or a damp underside? We will look and send a written plan.