Which way does insulation face in a basement?

Whether it's in a basement, a crawl space, or an attic, the insulation should face the unconditioned side of the house, while the paper faces the conditioned side. Insulation gets installed in this manner to prevent moisture and water damage from occurring.

What side of the insulation faces out?

Picking the right face is essential with fiberglass insulation that has a vapor barrier (meaning with Kraft paper or foil attached on one side). It should always face the warm-in-winter side. Thus, in cold climates, it should face the interior; in hot humid climates, it should face the exterior.

Does it matter which way insulation is facing?

Regardless of whether fiberglass insulation is installed in a wall, attic, or crawlspace; the paper facing should always face toward the inside of the home. That's because the paper contains a layer of asphalt adhesive which prevents water vapor from passing through it.

Should I use faced or unfaced insulation?

Unfaced insulation is great for new construction, remodels, walls, floors, ceilings, basements, attics and crawlspaces. It's best used for interior wall applications that do not face the outside and also in rooms that don't need moisture control, like living rooms, dining rooms and studies.

Should I use faced or unfaced insulation in my basement ceiling?

Faced insulation is actually recommended on basement ceilings and ceilings in general. The covering or "face" of the insulation prevents it from falling out and trickling down into the basement air. This is especially advantageous if the insulation is made of fiberglass, which can harmful if it's ingested.

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Should you put insulation in basement walls?

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.

What happens if insulation is installed backwards?

So if it is installed upside down, the paper moisture barrier can actually keep moisture in-between the paper and the sub-flooring. This can lead to mold issues, as well as structural deterioration. Also, the paper is flammable so not properly installing it can create a fire hazard.

Does moisture barrier go up or down?

Direction. The placement of the vapor barrier depends largely on the climate where your house is. In warm climates, the barrier should point to the outside of the house, blocking the vapor from the humid outside air that may seep into the walls or ceilings. In cold climates, the opposite is true.

Is faced insulation a vapor barrier?

The main difference between faced and unfaced insulation is that faced insulation typically has a paper vapor barrier or retarder attached to one side of the insulation. The purpose of the paper vapor barrier is to block moisture from permeating the walls and ceilings of the home.

What is the difference between pink and blue foam board?

Both are manufactured using the same process and contain similar chemical components. The two products also have the same insulating power. However, blue foam boards are manufactured by Dow Chemical Co. whereas the pink foam boards are manufactured by Owens Corning company.

Do you need to staple insulation?

Use enough staples to hold the insulation firmly in place (about every 8") and avoid gaps and “fishmouths” between the flanges and framing.

Is R 13 insulation Good for basements?

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.

Will insulating basement make house warmer?

Yes, insulating your basement will help keep your house warmer in winter and cooler in summer. Basements are susceptible to moisture when it's raining or cold outside, which may cause cracks and blisters. Insulation can help heat transfer and restricts moisture from penetrating through the walls.

Is a vapor barrier necessary in a basement?

As we covered, unfinished basements can benefit from a protective "barrier" layer. However, if your space is fully finished and has a bathroom/kitchen, a vapor barrier isn't 100% necessary. Again, this comes down to your home, the climate, and your basement design.

What insulation should I use in 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.

Is it OK to 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.

What type of insulation should I use for my basement walls?

Rigid foam sheets are best for DIYers who are insulating basements prior to framing the walls. Rigid foam also works well when the concrete or block walls are smooth and flat. Rigid foam insulation is easy to use. In addition to scoring, it can be cut by an ordinary wood saw.

What should the R-value be for basement walls?

The 2018 IECC permitted R-15 continuous insulation on either the interior or exterior or R-19 cavity on the interior. In addition, the changes allow builders to use 2×4 framing for the exterior basement walls instead of 2×6 studs.

How do you insulate a cold basement?

At minimum, laying throw rugs over trafficked areas will keep feet warm and help to insulate the floor from the cold. For additional insulation, consider installing wall-to-wall carpet or engineered flooring. Before investing in a high-quality floor covering, consider how dry your basement stays.