Basement insulation advice
3/21/2018 at 2:28:29 AM
Hello,
Last year I bought an old house (bungalow from the 60s) and I noticed during the winter that it was very cold in the basement.
So I ripped the walls to see that the only insulation was a batt insulation with no air / vapor barrier, nothing.
Since I was undergoing this job, I decided to remove the finished floors ( made of 2x3s and plywood) again, no insulation or vapor barrier of any kind. Still the floor was in pretty good shape, as it had no trace of a great water infiltration.
So I'm considering adding a 2" styrofoam to walls along with 1" styrofoam to floors as well as spray foam to rim joists. Then rebuild my 2x3 walls and add batt insulation then drywall.
Would you guys think this is a good approach?
Thanks very much.
3/21/2018 at 11:58:48 AM
Sounds pretty good. I use r10 blue foam glued to the foundation. Remember to tuck tap all the seams, as this acts as your vapor barrier as well. Then spray foam as you mentioned.
I would frame with 2x4' for a few reasons. 1 the tend to bend and twist far less over time. 2 And it leaves more back spacing for electrical lines. 3 you can insert a higher r- value batt insulation. Remember to use blue boards for your base plates. And install foam bellow them prior to nailing them down.
The subfloor, I would suggest 2x2 panels with either the plastic rimmed base for airflow. Or with the foam backing for r factor. Personally I always install for air flow.
3/21/2018 at 5:17:10 PM
Thanks James!
For the floor, I was looking into Delta FL and 1" styrofoam on top then 5/8 plywood tongue and groove.
What do you think? I thought that would allow less trouble trying to conceal moisture around internal walls...
Do you think I can build my interior wall on top of that set-up?
Thanks again!
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