Do concrete basement walls need insulation?

Walls. Basement walls should be insulated with non-water sensitive insulation that prevents interior air from contacting cold basement surfaces—the concrete structural elements and the rim joist framing.

Do you need to insulate a concrete wall?

Any heat inside the home will pass right through the concrete with very little resistance. The concrete acts as a sort of bridge for your heat to get outside. We eliminate the bridge and keep heat in by adding insulation. In order to regulate the temperature of a living space, concrete needs to be insulated.

Is it OK to not insulate basement walls?

There are a few reasons that basement wall insulation is important and necessary. These range from energy conservation, to code requirements in certain areas. Regardless, having a properly insulated basement should be a priority for homeowners.

Do you need to insulate below grade basement walls?

Your best bang for the dollar in this instance is to insulate the coldest part of the wall, again typically to 2-feet below grade. However, there are many instances where insulating the full wall is the best option, such as if your walls are stone, or the floor is earth or crushed stone with no vapor barrier.

Is it worth insulating basement walls?

Basement Insulation. A properly insulated basement can save you money on heating and provide a dry, comfortable living space. In most cases, a basement with insulation installed on its exterior walls should be considered a conditioned space.

Insulating Basement Walls - How to Insulate your Basement

How do you insulate a concrete wall?

The next best way to insulate a concrete wall is with rigid foam boards. This is the most popular method because it's so DIY friendly and cost effective. Rigid foam is a great insulator, R-2 to R-6 per inch on average, and water resistant. I recommend you tape and caulk all the seams once the boards are installed.

What is the cheapest way to insulate basement walls?

The smart and inexpensive way to insulate joist bays is to use extruded polystyrene (XPS) foam insulation panels cut to size to fit inside the bay and "glued" in with expanding foam. When the expanding foam hardens, trim away the excess and cover the foam with a piece 1/2" thick drywall to meet fire code.

Is a vapor barrier necessary in basement?

You might need a vapor barrier if you're trying to turn a wet basement into a dry, comfortable living space. Of course, as we mentioned above, a vapor barrier in a basement is just one part of a basement waterproofing system.

Do basement walls need to breathe?

Nowadays, houses are sealed up tight as a drum. It's great for energy efficiency and your heating bill. But it's bad for any moisture hiding in your home that can't find its way out. That is why your walls need to breathe.

Will insulating basement make house warmer?

Insulating the ceiling may keep your floors less cold, but it will not do much for the actual temperature of your home, and could lead to frozen water pipes and cold heating system distribution networks (air ducts or hot water piping).

What should I put between drywall and concrete?

The solution is covering concrete with a vapor barrier, which acts like a resistant cell membrane instead. With a shield in place, the drywall is safe. Typically, a stud wall is then installed against the concrete, but furring strips are quick, easy and take up less space.

How do you insulate a cinder block basement wall?

If you're still in the process of building your basement walls, add foam inserts to the cavities in each cinder block to raise the thermal resistance by about R-2. Before re-siding your exterior walls, add a layer of foam insulation on the exterior walls of your basement for extra thermal resistance.

Should you put plastic on basement walls?

Should I use Visqueen or plastic sheeting on the framed basement walls? No, you should not, as plastic will prevent moisture from moving through the wall and will lead to mold and damage.

Should I put plastic behind drywall in a basement?

Basement wall systems should never include any polyethylene. You don't want poly between the concrete and the insulation; nor do you want poly between gypsum drywall and the insulation. You don't want poly anywhere.

Where do you put vapor barrier in basement walls?

Not to be confused with a vapor barrier—which is placed on the warm side of the wall just in front of the insulation and behind the drywall— a moisture barrier goes against the basement wall and behind the insulation and framing. The best option for insulating a basement is to use spray foam insulation.

Should I use tar paper on basement walls?

Building inspectors would commonly recommend putting roofing felt (or tar paper) up against a foundation wall before refinishing the inside. Our experience has shown that this is a definite no-no.

Do finished basements need to be insulated?

Most new building codes require a R-11 insulation or better in your walls when finishing a basement. Insulation makes a big difference in how warm the basement will remain. Just remember, most cold basements result from lack of heat supply rather than heat loss.

What R-value do I need for basement walls?

The Model Energy Code recommends R-11 insulating values for basement walls in most of the country and R-15 for the northernmost states.

Can insulation touch concrete walls?

It's not recommended that you apply fiberglass insulation directly to a concrete wall. If you must use fiberglass, there needs to be a space between the insulation and the wall. If not, the place where the insulation touches the concrete will be overtaken by mold and mildew.

How much does it cost to insulate basement walls?

The average national cost to insulate a basement ranges from $1,400 to $6,300, depending upon the size of the basement and the type of insulation used. Labor costs can run between $0.25 to $0.50 per square foot to insulate a basement.

Should you heat an unfinished basement in the winter?

You should make sure that the basement ceiling is insulated so that less heat escapes through the floor, even if you're leaving the rest of the space unfinished. Heating an unfinished but properly insulated basement will help warm your whole home and keep from losing energy.