PHOTOS WITH EXPLANATIONS:
(Please browse in order to get a feel
for the usefulness of insulation and the
various ways types of insulation used.)
home thermal insulation envelope
insulation to beat home heat loss
insulation combats home heat loss
house insulation materials
fiberglass wool home insulation
thermal foam roofing insulation
home cavity wall insulation
rolled or batt insulation
rigid foam panel house insulation
exterior wall & roof insulation materials
sprayed polyurethane foam home insulation
basement wall insulation
blown in & sheet exterior insulation
basement wall insulation materials
blown in house attic insulation
residential spray foam insulation
residential spray foam floor insulation
reflective foil garage insulation
MORE INFORMATION:
types of home insulation
heating, ventilation, insulation terms
installing home insulation
blown in wall insulation
attic & wall home insulation materials
home wall & attic thermal insulation
home weatherization
hvac - heating, cooling systems
home insulation overview
r-value of insulating materials
BASEMENT WALL INSULATION MATERIALS
Extruded polystyrene (XPS) insulation is the best new basement insulation to use during residential basement construction.
This non-porous foam has a closed cell structure and proves to be ideal for use in basement insulation projects. There are no holes or voids that would allow water to penetrate. Because it also has high compressive strength, it will not sag or flatten like fiberglass insulation and will maintain its R-value over time.
However the installation of basement insulation has evolved over time. For example, old-style basement subfloors are still being built using basement insulation between 2" x 4" dimensional lumber or "sleepers" installed with screws or nails directly to the basement floor. To complete this traditional basement subfloor system, a polyethylene (PE) vapor barrier is loosely laid over the sleepers. Then plywood is fastened to the sleepers with hundreds of wood screws through the PE vapor barrier, making it the plastic equivalent of "swiss cheese".
The evolution of the basement subfloor system is to first apply rigid XPS basement insulation directly to the concrete floor, which provides a continuous layer of insulation that is not interrupted by floor framing studs. Plywood is then installed on top with adhesives and Tapcon concrete screws were fastened directly into the concrete to keep the plywood from warping.
Subfloors with basement insulation have evolved into a system that is easy to install. With the new air gap insulated and modular subfloor panels, installation is a snap. This subfloor system does not have to be fastened to the concrete floor because it "floats" and eliminates the use of 2' x 4' dimensional lumber. This saves money on material costs, installation time and virtually eliminates mold by removing cellulose in the wood as a food source.
The modular panels have an airtight gasket at the seams, which ensures a continuous vapor barrier and provides moisture protection to the finished basement floor and the furnishings in the room. In addition to protecting your furnishings and belongings, the airtight barrier protects your family from the potential hazards of rayon gas.
The way that basement insulation has been installed and is still being installed to basement foundation walls is to first tip-up floor assembled dimensional 2' x 4' pine lumber studs or even galvanized steel stud framing to the perimeter foundation walls and then nailing the structure into the ceiling floor joists and the concrete floor.
The use of fiberglass in the wall cavities between framing studs is still being used in basement insulation. The problem is that this only insulates between the studs. This insulation will absorb and hold water, which reduces insulation performance and can lead to mold growth. If the concrete or block walls leak, or even get damp, the lumber and basement insulation will hold the moisture creating problems with staining, rot and mildew and mold growth.
Rigid XPS basement insulation can be applied to the entire wall providing a continuous layer of thermal protection and increasing the overall R-value and energy efficiency. XPS basement insulation resists water absorption and does not provide a nutrient source for molds.
Industry research has determined that the most efficient way to insulate basements is from the exterior. External insulation not only cuts heat losses, but acts as a second barrier against moisture and freeze thaw action However, owners of older homes that cannot place insulation on the exterior because it is not economically practical can insulate the interior walls to achieve remarkable heat loss savings.
What kind of heat loss savings can be expected from applying basement insulation to the interior of basement walls that previously did not have any basement insulation?
The results of a thermal computer analysis program determined that heat losses can be cut by as much as 62%.
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