What insulation should I use in my basement?
Choosing the Best Insulation for Basement Walls and Ceiling
If you are looking for a less expensive option that you can install yourself, then foam board or fiberglass will be the better options. If you want that air seal in your basement to make the space more comfortable, then spray foam is the way to go.
What is the best insulation for interior basement walls?
Rigid foam sheets are best for DIYers who are insulating basements prior to framing the walls. Rigid foam also works well when the concrete or block walls are smooth and flat. Rigid foam insulation is easy to use. In addition to scoring, it can be cut by an ordinary wood saw.
What is the R-value of 1 inch foam board?
R-Value Chart for EnerfoilTM Rigid Foam Faced Insulation
| Thickness (Inches) | R-value (in I-P/Imperial) | RSI (R-value in Metric) |
|---|---|---|
| 0.75 | 4.5 | 0.81 |
| 1.0 | 6.2 | 1.08 |
| 1.5 | 9.3 | 1.62 |
| 2.0 | 12.4 | 2.16 |
What is better foam or fiberglass insulation?
Spray foam insulation fills all spaces, preventing air from escaping. It acts as an air barrier. Like cellulose insulation, spray foam insulation is significantly more efficient than fiberglass and has a higher R-value.
Is it OK to use fiberglass insulation in basement?
If you must use fiberglass, there needs to be a space between the insulation and the wall. If not, the place where the insulation touches the concrete will be overtaken by mold and mildew. Remember, fiberglass does NOT resist moisture, so it’s generally a no-no when insulating basements.
What R value should I use in my basement?
The Model Energy Code recommends R-11 insulating values for basement walls in most of the country and R-15 for the northernmost states.
How thick should basement insulation be?
The recommended R level is 25. To achieve the recommended R-value level, you’ll need 3.84 inches of insulation (25/6.5=3.84). Once you have determined what the appropriate R-value is for your home, you will need to decide whether you want to use open-cell or closed-cell foam insulation.
What is the cheapest way to insulate basement walls?
The smart and inexpensive way to insulate joist bays is to use extruded polystyrene (XPS) foam insulation panels cut to size to fit inside the bay and “glued” in with expanding foam. When the expanding foam hardens, trim away the excess and cover the foam with a piece 1/2″ thick drywall to meet fire code.
How do you install fiberglass insulation in basement walls?
Quote from the video:
Quote from Youtube video: Cut insulation on a flat smooth surface. Use a straight edge to hold the insulation in place and guide your cut. Don't forget to insulate around the band joist.
How do you insulate basement walls?
Quote from the video:
Quote from Youtube video: So you don't need a lot of insulation on basement walls in fact. You can do the job well with just a two inch layer of polystyrene stuck right to the surface of the concrete.
What is cheaper foam insulation or fiberglass?
Spray foam insulation is considerably more expensive than fiberglass insulation. In some cases, the price of spray foam insulation can exceed that of fiberglass by three times over. As such, fiberglass is often the insulation material of choice for those searching for an inexpensive insulation solution.
Can you put rigid foam insulation over fiberglass insulation?
Quote from the video:
Quote from Youtube video: Even if you made sure that the fiberglass insulation. Was completely dry you could actually have a leak and trap the in the moisture. Inside between the subfloor and the foam board in the future.
Should fiberglass insulation touch concrete?
As the concrete dries it releases a great deal of moisture directly into the fiberglass insulation. Consequently, as the fiberglass saturates it loses its R-value. The wetter it gets the worse it performs. Mold will grow in and on fiberglass insulation as well as the surrounding surfaces.
Is R 13 insulation Good for basements?
TBF closed cell foam insulation and concrete board basement wall products offer industry-leading R-13 insulation value that will reflect back 99.987% of heat back and lead to the optimal insulating of a basement area.
Should you use faced or unfaced insulation in a basement?
With its moisture-resistance properties, faced insulation works better for basements. However, you can install unfaced insulation on top of it for more protection. Even with varying features, both work effectively in regulating heat transfer within your home.
Do you need a vapor barrier in a basement ceiling?
If the basement is finished and has no moisture issues, the vapor barrier is not needed. If it has moisture issues, the vapor barrier is probably a problem.
Which way do you face insulation in a basement ceiling?
In a retrofit job in which you are adding insulation to a basement ceiling by placing it between the joists of the floor above, if you are using foil or kraft-faced insulation, be sure that the insulation is placed with the foil or kraft paper facing “up” towards the heated side of the floor, lest you form another
Should you insulate concrete basement walls?
Walls. Basement walls should be insulated with non-water sensitive insulation that prevents interior air from contacting cold basement surfaces—the concrete structural elements and the rim joist framing.
Do I need a vapor barrier on basement walls?
Building codes usually require a vapor barrier (4 mil plastic sheeting) on exterior basement walls if the framing is attached to masonry or concrete surfaces, or if the wood framing butts up against the outer basement walls.
What type of insulation do you use for concrete walls?
Depending on whether the concrete block walls will be covered or if the top of the wall is exposed can really change the way they are insulated. The option for insulating concrete block walls includes spray foam insulation, injection foam insulation, polystyrene beads, foam boards, and loose-fill masonry insulation.
