Insulating Exterior Basement Walls

Adding insulation to the exterior of a home correctly starts with establishing what climate zone you are building in and how the existing wall is built to make sure you are not creating a condensation point at a dangerous place within the wall assembly or preventing internal moisture from the occasional leak in the exterior skin from running away so the wall structure can dry out. We also add a vapor barrier and caulktape all the seams.

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Cellulose is also an option for basements but its not a product that Ill cover here.

Insulating exterior basement walls. By insulating the exterior of basement walls we consume less interior space and prevent exposing walls to the seasonal freezethaw cycle known as thermal shock that can cause the cracking of foundations. Typically we see most wood framed walk-out basement exterior walls insulated with fiberglass insulation and some type of vapor barrier. For this reason we recommend rigid foam against the block or closed-cell spray foam.

The place to control vapor migration is on the exterior of the basement wall in the form of waterproofing or damproofing. External wall insulation can significantly moderate this improving the buildings energy efficiency as well as cutting CO 2 emissions and reducing fuel or cooling costs. From the outside from the middle of the foundation and from the inside of the structure.

There are three ways to insulate basement walls. Unless the house is still in the planning phase insulating a basement from the inside is usually the most practical methodThe most common types of insulation are fiberglass batt insulation foam insulation and blown-in insulation. For more information see How to Insulate a Basement Wall.

If you are insulating on the interior dont forget to install horizontal rigid foam above the ledge at the top of the wall. Outside walls are where heat loss or heat penetration most commonly occurs in the majority of buildings. With above grade concrete walls the above insulation methods still work but you can also use regular batt insulation too.

Basements are the perfect location for foam type insulation products. In this easy do-it-yourself video we show walk you through how to insulate a basement by installing insulation on the exterior foundation walls in order to increase the r-value save money and make your basement more comfortable. Insulation Materials Are The Key The key to successfully insulating basement walls is selecting insulating materials that stop moisture movement and prevent mold growth.

This detail is used in millions of homes in the exterior walls above grade with some success the industry is slowly moving away from this detail but its still the most widely used today. When the walls are in a basement stopping moisture penetration is a bigger issue. Our rigid insulation solutions help keep the wall warm reducing the potential for condensation and protecting the waterproof membrane from damage.

On the interior the best insulation to place against the concrete or block is rigid foam without any facing such as foil or plastic sheeting. Ad Find Insulating Basement Walls Exterior and Related Articles. Exterior basement insulation is less common probably due to the fact that it can be more expensive.

Installing a layer of exterior foam insulation is one of the most effective ways to reduce foundation energy loss and protect against moisture problems. Over 85 Million Visitors. Insulation on either the exterior or the interior might keep the wall interior temperature from falling below the summertime ambient temperature and thus prevent condensation of highly humid interior air on the interior side of the basement walls.

This allows for some drying to take place as foam board is somewhat permeable. Ad Find Insulating Basement Walls Exterior and Related Articles. And there are certainly less cases where insulation is installed on both sides.

The sections of the wall that are made of concrete should be insulated on the interior or exterior with sheets of rigid foam. Over 85 Million Visitors. External walls come in different shapes and forms.

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