What insulation should I use for my basement ceiling?

Your best option is insulating your exposed foundation walls. Start with getting any moisture issues under control, then use water-resistant insulation like closed-cell spray foam or XPS foam board. Most homeowners opt for fiberglass, but fiberglass has the chance of trapping moisture.

Should I insulate my basement ceiling of the basement is unheated?

For example, if you plan to finish your basement, it's best to have ceiling insulation to help keep the basement warm. The most important thing to remember is that your basement should be kept dry and conditioned. This is essential to keeping it free of pests and moisture issues.

Is R13 good for basement ceiling?

Johns Manville Series R13 Fiberglass Roll Insulation

With an R-value of 13, this product from Johns Manville is another excellent choice for insulating your basement ceiling and is also very affordable.

What R value should I insulate my basement?

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

Should I use faced or unfaced insulation in basement?

With its moisture-resistance properties, faced insulation works better for basements. However, you can install unfaced insulation on top of it for more protection.

Why Insulate the Basement Ceiling

Do you need vapor barrier in basement ceiling?

In the basement heat flow must be blocked, and “faced” insulation does a good job. With spray foam insulation (unfaced) there's no need for a vapour barrier because the installed material naturally acts as this barrier. A thermal barrier will need to be applied over the spray foam.

How thick should basement insulation be?

The recommended R level is 25. To achieve the recommended R-value level, you'll need 3.84 inches of insulation (25/6.5=3.84). Once you have determined what the appropriate R-value is for your home, you will need to decide whether you want to use open-cell or closed-cell foam insulation.

Can I use fiberglass insulation in basement?

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. Remember, fiberglass does NOT resist moisture, so it's generally a no-no when insulating basements.

Is there a big difference between R13 and R19 insulation?

The bigger the R value, the better the insulation is at slowing down the heat transfer. So R19 is better insulation than R13, and R30 is better than R19. The larger the R value, the better the insulation value.

What is the difference between R-13 and R19 insulation?

Although the U.S. Department of Energy rates R-13 insulation as "good" for use in walls in southern areas of the country, it rates R-19 insulation higher, designating it as "great." That is because R-19 insulation provides more thermal insulation than R-13 does.

What is R-13 insulation used for?

What is R13 Batt Insulation? R13 batt insulation is typically used to attenuate sound in interior wall cavities. It is akin to a large blanket, designed specifically to fill a wall, floor, or ceiling cavity.

Is it a good idea to insulate the basement ceiling?

Yes—in most cases insulating your basement is a good idea because it will pay dividends down the road. Not only does wall insulation help keep your home warmer but it may also help soundproof the space.

How do you insulate an unfinished basement ceiling?

Your best option is insulating your exposed foundation walls. Start with getting any moisture issues under control, then use water-resistant insulation like closed-cell spray foam or XPS foam board. Most homeowners opt for fiberglass, but fiberglass has the chance of trapping moisture.

Do you need insulation in finished basement ceiling?

It is important to note that most experts agree ceiling insulation is only a consideration when a basement will remain unfinished. If the basement will be a finished living space, then wall insulation will provide sufficient coverage.

Is r13 insulation good for basement?

TBF closed cell foam insulation and concrete board basement wall products offer industry-leading R-13 insulation value that will reflect back 99.987% of heat back and lead to the optimal insulating of a basement area.

Should you put plastic between insulation and drywall?

Without poly beneath the drywall, water vapor hits the drywall and diffuses through to the drier (in summer) indoor air. By installing a sheet of poly there, you cut off that drying mechanism and water that finds its way into walls can stay there longer and do more damage.

Can fiberglass insulation grow mold?

Fiberglass, a non-biodegradable substance is resistant to mold. With its sharp, ground glass, mold spores puncture before they can attach to it. Mold can grow on the fiberglass insulation backing, which is made of paper and is a mold food source. Fiberglass insulation without backing may be the best choice.

Do you need a vapor barrier with rigid foam insulation?

Foam insulation usually does not require a vapor barrier. For some foam insulation types, such as closed-cell spray foam and foam board insulation, the insulation itself stops the movement of most water vapor.

Is R12 insulation good for basements?

If the basement is below ground you'll have concrete walls all around with pink insulation that falls halfway down your wall. That insulation alone is not sufficient for your basement. It is usually only an R12 and you're required to have R22 in a basement with a minimum of at least R20.

Does rigid foam insulation need to be covered?

Q. I plan to install rigid foam insulation in a crawlspace. As far as I know, most types of rigid foam insulation can't be left exposed, but need to be covered with a layer of drywall for fire resistance.

Should you put plastic over ceiling insulation?

Plastic vapor barriers should only be installed in vented attics in climates with more than 8,000 heating degree days. You can forego the plastic and use a vapor retarder (kraft-faced insulation or latex ceiling paint) in all other climates except hot-humid or hot-dry climates.

Where does the vapor barrier go in a basement ceiling?

You want the vapor barrier on the oppsite side - the upper side of a basement ceiling. You can achieve that if you have, for example, sheet vinyl or something else that seals over the floor above. You are going to find that an inch of spray foam out of little cans will be quite costly.

Should you put a vapor barrier on basement walls?

Building codes usually require a vapor barrier (4 mil plastic sheeting) on exterior basement walls if the framing is attached to masonry or concrete surfaces, or if the wood framing butts up against the outer basement walls.