The best option for a homeowner will depend on the nature of the basement finished or unfinished and budget. Unlike traditional walls where we have vapor barriers on the outside and inside foundation walls present some challenges. Basement walls should be insulated with non water sensitive insulation that prevents interior air from contacting cold basement surfacesthe concrete structural elements and the rim joist framing.
basement insulation detail basement wall insulation detail basement slab insulation detail basement floor insulation detail
Insulation detail insulating basement walls.
Basement insulation detail. The further down the wall insulation extends past the floor insulation the better the thermal performance of the junction between the wall and the floor. Blanket insulation is usually available in standard wall frame sizes. This is especially true in tight homes with a strong seal around upstairs windows and doors where a large portion of heat loss comes from an uninsulated basement. Whether you use your basement primarily for storage or as a recreational space insulating this section of your home can yield significant financial benefits.
There are many basement insulation types. The insulation detail shown in the figure is a detail that ive used several times with great success. Concrete basement wall with exterior insulation sill detail figures 2 13f and 2 13s illustrate a variant on 2 12. In the proposed basement wall insulation detail well provide a moistureinsulation barrier along the face of the foundation wall and then a vapor barrier on the warm side of the framing of the basement walls.
Spray foam is probably the best possible insulation material for basements and damp areas. They can provide sustainable benefits of improved energy efficiency making good space heating savings compared to similar buildings above ground. Insulation options include bubble foil fiberglass foam board and sprayed foam. 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.
The structural elements of below grade walls are cold concrete is in direct contact with the ground. Basement construction provides valuable space for both commercial and residential use. Department of energy insulating your basement walls can save up to 350 annually in some regions. For insulation below the slab feldman is considering two types of rigid foam insulationexpanded polystyrene eps and extruded polystyrene xpsas well as closed cell spray polyurethane foam.
Basement insulation can be added to interior and exterior walls in addition to the ceiling. 150 mm applies to the uk and 225 mm to the republic of ireland. Insulation or perimeter insulation upstand and the bottom of the wall insulation must be a minimum of 150 225 mm. This differs from figures 2 12 in that above grade wood frame wall is constructed of 2x6 framing which overhangs the foundation wall.
Closed cell spray foam is perfect for locking out the water vapor that inherintely wants to migrate from your damp basement walls to your finished basement rooms. According to the us. Three of the most popular types of insulation are batt and roll blanket loose fill and sprayed foam. For blanket or batt and roll insulation simply nail or staple the insulation into your wood frame.
Feldman plans to insulate the basement walls with closed cell spray polyurethane foam. It consists of a concrete masonry cmu foundation wall with exterior insulation. Basements require careful design in order to achieve the correct level of waterproofing required for the internal environment.
