How to Insulate Basement Walls
Once upon a time, basements were prized for their cool temperatures as a prime area to keep perishables like fruits and pickled produce. These days, basements have many other uses that require warmer temperatures. Insulating your basement is also a requirement since going without insulation means heat loss, water seeping in and cracks in the walls. Here’s how to insulate basement walls.
Three Ways to Insulate
There are three ways to insulate your basement, namely:
From the outside of the foundation
From the middle of the foundation
From the inside of the structure
External and middle insulation should be done during construction. When the house is already erect, the most practical way to approach the insulating process is to do it from the inside.
Insulation Materials
The simplest way to install insulation is to choose between two materials: Rigid foam insulation planks or soft blankets, also known as batts. Rigid foam installation does not take as much space as the latter, which may be a feature that space-savers may be interested in.
Mild winters call for an R-value of seven while areas with colder winters can go for an R-value of eleven.
How to Install Basement Insulation
Depending on the material you choose to use, you’ll have to frame 2×3 or 2×4 stud walls over the masonry walls, where you’ll then install or staple your insulation material.
Before getting started, check your local building code for any specific rules they have on installing basement insulation. Fix all leaks or any moisture problems in your walls.
To save on cost, you can opt to insulate the walls that extend over the ground level.
Blanket or Batt Insulation
Frame the wall with new stud walls.
Line the wall with furring strips.
Frame the wall with new stud walls. Friction-fit or glue the planks between the furring.
Use an industrial staple to staple the insulation material between the stud walls. Staples must be 10-12 inches apart, at the very least.
Cover with a minimum of half an inch of drywall.
You may then choose to have a final finished surface of wood or hardboard paneling.
Insert small pieces of insulation material above the sill, securing with duct tape, wood chips or staples.
Rigid Insulation
Make stud walls or grids of 1×2s or 1×3s.
Install the rigid foam materials according to their sizes in the stud walls.
Use small pieces of blankets or batt insulation for the spaces over the top of the sill, with the vapor barriers facing inside.
Cement the planks to the walls between the furring strips. Measure as you go to make sure that they all fit perfectly. Once done, cover with drywall.