However special care should be used when insulating concrete or block masonry basement walls.
Insulation for cement basement walls.
Basements are a challenge because of high moisture levels and cooler temperatures.
Your walls in their present state have an r rating of about 3.
Drywall is commonly used to cover the basement insulation but if aesthetics are not a concern you can also cover the insulation with plywood.
Insulating basement walls in cold climates is a great way to keep your home warmer and drier.
How to insulate basement walls.
Whether you use batt and roll insulation loose fill insulation or sprayed foam insulation you do not want to leave the insulation exposed.
In this article i d like to discuss how to insulate basement walls in cold climates.
Force the cement into the sunken tie rod holes using a margin trowel.
Extruded polystyrene foam can be yellow pink or blue depending on the manufacturer for insulating basement walls.
According to the international energy conservation code iecc for your area mass walls ones made of thick block brick stone or adobe should be at least r 10.
You have many options for wall surfaces.
Best methods for insulating basement walls.
Avoid expanded foam insulation the type that has little white beads pressed together when insulating basement walls because it isn t as durable and has a lower r value.
Insulating a basement properly is rather challenging in cold climates.
Insulation is vital for concrete basement walls the basement hold the house s furnace water heaters laundry machines and essential utilities.
Make sure your adhesive is free of solvents which can eat away at the foam insulation.
Adding 2 inch thick insofast panels will bring your walls to r 13 30 percent more than the iecc minimum.
Because they are naturally located below ground level basements are mostly cool and damp.
For reference my basement is currently finished with concrete exterior walls then charcoal colored wrap material there seems to be an inch or two between this wrap and the exterior walls then stud framing with r12 batt insulation between the studs then a vapor barrier and finally drywall on top of the vapor barrier.
Step by step basement insulation installation.
I ve written several articles on insulating basement walls and evolved some of my methods over time.