|
Crawl Space |
Slab |
Conditioned |
|
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Cost to Build |
Not much more expensive than slab. Less expensive than conditioned. | Some savings over Crawl. Much less than conditioned. Leaves little room for error. Proper planning and installation is critical. Save some cost on less brick and block. | More expensive |
|
Energy Efficiency |
Least efficient of the three | Cold floors may need radiant heat | More Energy efficient |
|
Cost to Maintain |
Looses the most heat and air. Easy access to maintain or remodel. | Limited if properly installed. MUST have experienced licensed reputable plumber with experience installing in slab. | Ongoing added cost to condition under the house |
|
Ease of Repairs |
Easy to access pipes, vents and sub structures. Can put HVAC air handler and ductwork below floor. | Repairs are costly. Pipe leak will require you to jackhammer the concrete slab to assess and repair the problem | Easy to access pipes, vents and sub structures |
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Other Pros |
Easy access to pipes and sub structures. Gets the house off the ground in termite prone areas. | Quickest to build. Rodents and Pests do NOT live under a Slab. Good subfloor for tile. | Keeps out bugs, rodents and moisture that causes mold and mildew. |
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Other Cons |
Moisture, Mold, Mildew Pests | Hard floors will be cold. Harder on feet, knees, joints, back. |
Posts Tagged ‘energy efficient’
Friday, January 25th, 2013
Sunday, July 22nd, 2012
Since my first post was about insulation I thought I’d follow up with a post on the use of caulk since both can have significant impact on the energy efficiency of your home. Caulk is not a very sexy topic but is important not only in new home construction or remodeling but in routine maintenance of your single largest investment – your home. (more…)
