Crawl Space Door - Solid of vented??

I have air vents around the crawl space that open based on tempurature Question I have is when I had the plastic under the crawl space replaced, the new vents installed, the insulation guy replaced my wooden door (CHEAP from a TERRIBLE Builder, reolaced a metal one, with a cheap hand-made wooden one that was clunky.) SO Question is.... I have a SOLID cover for a door and a vented one. I used to change the door cover out in the summer to the vented one, but realized the metal one I had was solid, SO does it MATTER if the Door cover is solid or vented being I have vents all around the crawl space? I opened it today to read the sub-meter (sprinkler system) and it was nice and cool under the house! Had spiders and they gross me out, but......

7 Comments

Jamie D Manchester Center, VT

Jim, it is important for venting that there is a cross ventilation (one on opposing sides of the space), this allows moisture to be carried outside avoiding condensation and possible compounded issues like mold. In winter as in most places logic would have you close these off perhaps with a panel of EPS foam which should be cut to fit snuggly. This will help keep heating cost down but remember cold falls and only heat rises so if the floor joists are insulated properly there is little need ...»
to change this out seasonally. Vapor barrier is imperative to protect the insulation between in between floor joists.

on Jul 08, 2012 · Like 0
Jim G Suffolk, VA

Jaime,
Thank you for the reply. So are you saying that with the insualtion under the house between the floow josts (Terminex and my insulation guy both said it looked good), I don't need to change out the door each season (sumer/winter)? or are you saying I need to put the Vented door on? (Hot & Humid in VA beach area).

on Jul 08, 2012 · Like 0
Jamie D Manchester Center, VT

vented is best yes, in the extreme hot months especially if you do use air-conditioning.

on Jul 08, 2012 · Like 1
Jim G Suffolk, VA

ok, Thanks Jaime. Vent cover will be on tomorrow morning!

on Jul 08, 2012 · Like 0
Woodbridge Environmental ... Colonia, NJ

The new theory on this is to seal the crawl space from the outside and ventilate it from the inside.
However, if there is no ducts, or water pipes, you can ventilate such as cross ventilation but you must air seal the sills and ideally use a real good vapor barrier near the heated side of the floor. If not air and moisture will be drawn up into the wall areas causing moisture to condense and ...»
cause mold.
If however you have air ducts or pipes you need to seal the walls of the crawl space and condition the crawl area as part of the building envelope.

on Jul 09, 2012 · Like 0
Jim G Suffolk, VA

w/ VENTED Cover... thanks for the help!
on Jul 09, 2012 · Like 0
AquaGuard Foundation Solu... Marietta, GA

Jim Venting is actually the old way of doing things. You want to seal your crawlspace. Venting can actually encourage an unhealthy crawlspace. Check the Dept. of Energy's site http://crawlspaces.org/ for more information.

on Aug 08, 2012 · Like 0

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Crawl Space Door - Solid of vented??

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