But high compressive strength materials tend to be very dense, meaning they’re good conductors aka really bad insulators. Before we even started, we made sure we had all the tools and materials we needed to complete the insulation project. As benign a question as this may seem, it is an extraordinarily complex one. R-value is the insulation's ability to resist heat flow. View product. Start by gluing 3/4-inch extruded polystyrene foam insulation to fit … Are there any reasons you shouldn’t insulate? The inspector (home grant inspector) stated this to me. Below are some considerations to help you make this decision. 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. As a result, just this has reduced my LP gas usage by over 30%. Uninsulated basement walls will make your basement feel very cold even if you heat the air, and you will have problems with condensation. The air gap plus warmer air will lead to a quick evaporation cycle. 8″ of concrete has an R-value of 1, meaning your foundation has the same approximate heat retention as a single-paned window. below grade, especially when the foundation walls and drainage system are in good condition. In most cases, these basement walls were insulated with fiberglass batts, and included two layers of polyethylene — one on each side of the studs. Ellringer calls this a “diaper wall,” and reports that most of them are a mess. I asked how to seal the 6 mil vapor barrier and he said just let it hang. These walls are full height with 4 ft being below grade. The image above demonstrates the value of insulating the top half of your foundation wall, compared to the bottom half of the wall. If you are trying to do the highest impact work at the least cost, or have other upgrades that you are budgeting for, you might consider insulating the foundation walls to 2' below ground level, rather than from top to bottom. This is because the earth itself already does a good job of regulating basement temperatures. Unfinished basement. That is why the National Building Code requires a minimum level of insulation in a basement that reaches from the floor boards above your head, down the wall to about two feet below the outside grade level. Allowing interior air (that is usually full of moisture, especially in the humid summer months) to touch cold surfaces will cause condensation and wetting, rather than the desired drying. Another factor is the potential for freezing damage. Which, in the end, is not a bad thing! The basement (which between the boiler, hot water tank, hot water pipes and heat radiating from the floor is probably around 55 – 58 F) will radiate heat slowly into the below-grade soil. Cutting insulation. Why should you insulate your basement? It's easy to build a basement better, or to finish an existing basement correctly, we just need to realize that they behave differently than above grade walls and to build accordingly to effectively deal with the humidity found underground - and by doing so, stop the conditions that promote mold growth. And the less warmth/heat energy, the more likely that any present moisture will freeze. Insulating Basement Walls. However, there are many instances where insulating the full wall is the best option, such as if your walls are stone, or the floor is earth or crushed stone with no vapor barrier. A couple other reasons to insulate the full wall is if the basement will be heated directly, let's say through oil or a wood stove. Materials which make good foundations need a very high compressive strength, like concrete (nerdy aside: compressive strength is measured in megaPascals, which sounds like a superhero version of a normal Pascal!). Finally, current construction codes require all new builds to be fully insulated. I still believe you should insulate when you finish your basement. Whew…it’s pretty complicated. Prior to that the basement hovered just below freezing all winter long. Many people will argue that basement insulation is not important because the foundation temp stays a constant 55 degrees and the wind does not blow 8 feet underground. Basements don't have to be moldy, that is the first thing to realize. COMFORTBOARD™ 80 rigid mineral wool continuous insulation sheathing board. Even below the frost line, your soil is still very cold. The basement heat will move very aggressively through the above-grade. In some cases it may only be practical to install insulation to a minimum of 610 mm (24 in.) The 2012 International Residential Code requires basement insulation in Climate Zones 3 and higher. Concrete, rubble mortar and brick, especially older brick, can be susceptible to damage in the freeze-thaw cycle. You are correct that EPS or XPS is the best if your climate requires insulation below grade but that is not the case for you. Similar to monolithic concrete, a combination of foam board and spray foam is recommended, or taped foam board to air seal and insulate the basement walls. Water moves up the foundation wall through capillary action (and if there isn’t a capillary break between the foundation and sill plate, up into the building walls). How To Seal An Electrical Outlet (Without Electrocuting Yourself)? A properly insulated basement provides comfort and is a good way to save on your energy bill. On July 26, 2020 By Amik. 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