Honestly, I keep second-guessing my choices on stuff like this. I went with the “good enough” insulation under the slab because the budget was already stretched, but now I’m wondering if it’s one of those things you regret later. Did you notice a big difference in comfort or just with moisture?
I went with the “good enough” insulation under the slab because the budget was already stretched, but now I’m wondering if it’s one of those things you regret later.
I totally get this. We did the same—picked the mid-range insulation, thinking it’d be fine. Here’s what I noticed: first winter, the floor wasn’t freezing, but it wasn’t exactly cozy either. No major moisture issues, but I do wonder if we’ll feel it more in a few years. If I had to do it again, I’d probably try to squeeze a bit more into that part of the budget, just for peace of mind. But honestly, it hasn’t been a disaster.
No major moisture issues, but I do wonder if we’ll feel it more in a few years.
Funny, I’ve had that same thought. When we did our last project, I remember standing in the middle of the slab, wondering if we’d regret not going all-in on insulation. Years later, honestly, it’s been fine—maybe not “toasty toes” fine, but nothing dramatic. Sometimes I think the worry is worse than the reality. If you’re not seeing big problems now, you probably made a decent call.
Honestly, I’ve seen the same thing play out—people stress over slab insulation, but unless you’re in a really cold climate or have chronic moisture, it’s rarely a dealbreaker. We did rigid foam under one build and skipped it on another. The difference? Maybe a few degrees underfoot, but nothing that’s made me lose sleep. If you’re not seeing condensation or weird smells, you probably nailed the basics. Sometimes the “what ifs” just linger in your head more than they show up in real life.
If I could do it over, I’d still lean toward insulating under the slab, even in milder climates. We skipped it once and regretted it during a damp spring—cold floors, and the room just felt clammy. It’s not always a must, but I’d rather overdo it than wish I had later.
