The Types of Crawlspace Covers

Solid

• Solid crawl space covers are boards that permanently enclose the opening. The covers are often attached the home with nails, screws or glue. There are multiple designs and colors available, many of which can be painted to the home owner's specifications. The shape of the solid covers are often square or rectangle and fit directly over the crawl space opening. Some covers are sloped to fit the design of the home.

Vent

• Crawl space vents allow air in the home to circulate. Solid covers are permanently attached the crawl space opening and the vent is built into the middle of the cover. Some vents are adjustable, while others are not. Adjustable vents are opened and closed at the home owner's discretion to allow for a custom amount of air flow. Keeping proper air circulation through the home may help to lower heating and cooling bills.

Fan

• Covers with fans are designed to flush odors, stale and warm air out of a crawl space. The fan is hooked up to the home's electrical wiring and controlled by an operation panel often placed inside of the home. Some covers contain just a fan, while others are equipped with shutters. The shutters can be closed to prevents insects and small creatures from entering the crawl space.

Door

• Crawl space doors are opened and closed at the home owner's discretion. The door is installed over the opening and caps off the end of the crawl space. Hinges are placed on the sides of the door which allow the door to swing open and close. A layer of rubber or insulation is placed around the perimeter of the door, which seals the gap between the crawl space cover and the home. Although the door is not permanently adhered to the opening, the seal is often air-tight.