Homes that have no basement wall insulation are presently losing up to 25 percent of their heat right through their foundation walls. Having this done when the basement is still in its early stages of being finished is usually the best time as you then have the opportunity to cover the insulation with drywall as some insulation materials pose a high risk to your health by producing dangerous smoke when exposed to flames and fire. If your basement is otherwise already finished you need not fret but it’s recommended that you do some homework to make sure your basement wall insulation project goes through without a hitch.

The Purpose Of Basement Wall Insulation

Basement wall insulation serves many purposes and is done in various ways so in the spirit of doing a good job take it seriously. Some people are natural do-it-yourselvers and could easily take on a task like this themselves, but if you are not a DIY-er then use reliable contractors to do it for you.

Whether you are doing it by yourself of getting someone to do it for you, you need to understand what goes into the process of basement wall insulation. If someone comes to do it for you and you are not happy with the quality of work then you can pinpoint why you are not happy. If you are doing it yourself then it is obvious why you need to understand the process.

Basement wall insulation serves these purposes:

• Prevents moisture from seeping into the basement from outside.

• Keeps heat trapped inside which is ideal if you live in colder countries or if you have converted the basement into an extra room.

• Insulating your basement can save you thousands of dollars per year, because you are sealing in the heat of your home which reduces energy usage.

• You need to look at any air movement in your basement around pipes and fittings as air movement will exchange air from in and outside which means the heat you are paying to generate is moving to the outside.

• Keeps the air dry and aids in the prevention of mold and mildew.

• Increases the value of your property.

Aside from all its benefits there are various ways of getting the job done and it’s not as easy as it seems. Basically put there are three ways of getting the job done namely:

1. Basement wall insulation
2. Basement floor insulation
3. Basement ceiling insulation

Insulating the walls involves the process of covering all four walls with rigid foam insulation. Glue these onto the brick or concrete surface using polyurethane construction adhesive to get the job done. After securing these foam insulation sheets some contractors usually follow some protocols before installing fiberglass sheets on the walls. Check and make sure if there’s anything you need to do before mounting on the fiberglass sheets. After completion of this process you can finish off the walls as you wish and even convert it into a room.

Using The Right Materials For Your Basement Wall Insulation

Basement floor insulation can be done using only a select few materials. It’s advised to steer away from materials like fabrics and carpets when flooring a basement as it’s obviously more susceptible to water damage than any other room in the house. Suggestions you can research would be hardwoods, engineered flooring, ceramics, laminates, tiles and lastly the cheapest but also effective option would be to use a high density waterproof paint. It all depends on what you want to use your basement for.

• The most popular is Blanket insulation.

• This can be made of fiberglass, natural fibers, mineral wool or plastic fibers and which is covered with paper, plastic or foil.

• Foam boards can also be used which are taped into place, but with this material moisture control is of extreme importance.

• Loose fill can also be used when the basement is finished, but would need to be repeated once settling has occurred.

• Spray foam installation is most effective, but special equipment is needed to install the foam and the person doing it needs to be certified to do so.

Methods Of Installation

The insulation can be installed before or after you basement is completed.  First of all, you need to assess the situation.  There are certain factors that would determine what method you will use and what material you would use.  These factors could be uneven surfaces, structural damage, moisture content and finishing details.  Secondly, you need to check with a local building contractor to see that you methods will be approved by the local building authorities.  You also need to consider the climate of the area you live in such as frost damage to clay soils, or excessive rain periods and soil erosion.  All this needs to be done before work begins. There are four steps to basement wall insulation, namely Preparation, framing, insulating and finishing.

The Preparation

You need to seal any cracks or possible areas of air flow and check for any signs of moisture damage.  Seal the wall with polyethylene moisture barrier to prevent any moisture coming through.

The Framing

You would need to now build a wooden frame flush to the wall in the basement.  Building it out from the wall makes for a better moisture barrier and also insulating the wall better.  Studs should be placed at even intervals and enough space would be left for your insulation.  The frame needs to be left to dry if you are using uncured wood for at least four weeks before adding the insulation.

The Insulating

The insulation should be installed in two layers.  The first should be installed horizontally between studs and should be cut wide enough to fit properly between studs without leaving any spaces and should fit snugly against the wall.  The second layer should be fitted vertically and also fit snugly against the first as to leave no spaces or room for air to come through.

The Finishing

A polyethylene moisture sealant can be used to seal up the frame to ensure that no air or moisture can come through.  The frame should be secured to the wall and sealed up around the frame.  Once you are confident that your barrier is completely air and moisture proof, you can attach the finishing surface.  The finishing surface will not only make sure that your insulation stays in place but will also minimise the fire hazard that the insulation material poses.

Basement ceiling insulation should only be done if you’re going to use your basement as an extra living room. It’s advised to only use a faced fiberglass insulation that is completely free from formaldehyde. It’s clear that there are various options open to you, but in the end it installing basement wall insulation could lower electricity heating bills and push up the value of your home.