Basement insulation with foam board is a good step for creating a warm usable space in the basement. Foam board is easy to install and requires no specialized tools for the homeowner to purchase. Foam board forms a vapor barrier as well as insulation. In colder climates, fiberglass insulation added over the foam board provides an additional layer of insulation, reducing energy cost significantly.
Preparing Basement Walls
Address any water problems in the basement walls by patching and caulking cracks. Sand or chip away any rough places on the basement walls. Paint the basement walls with a water-proofing paint. Caulk around any wiring, pipes or vents.
Installing Foam Board
The use of foam board at least 1-inch thick is recommended. Foam board comes in sizes of 2-by-8 feet and 4-by-8 feet. The foam board is available in tongue and groove or square butt edges. Foam board insulation cuts easily with a utility knife.
Several different methods of foam board insulation can be used. One method is building a framework of studs nailed directly to the concrete wall. The foam board is placed between the studs. This method allows any moisture present in the concrete basement wall to be absorbed into the studs and possibly produce mold.
Another method of installing the foam board is to use an adhesive to adhere the foam board directly to the wall and taping the joints with a waterproof sealing tape. This forms a complete moisture barrier. The studs are installed over the foam board layer.
Some foam board has a notched 3-inch channel where the seams butt together. The channel accommodates a 3-inch furring strip nailed into place over the seam, and the furring strips remain even with the face of the foam board. This method provides a complete moisture barrier and provides a nailing surface for drywall or paneling. This method eliminates the extra step of framing the wall with studs.
Additional Information
All methods of foam board installation require a plastic vapor barrier installed over the wall studs before covering with drywall or paneling. The plastic vapor barrier is 6 mm thick and attached by stapling every 6 inches to the studs and the top and bottom plates.
Foam board is flammable and must be covered with drywall or paneling for safety.
Related posts
Foam board is a versatile insulation product used in wall panels, roofing and in basements. You need not have any special tools to install foam boards, and installation is fast. The proper adhesiv...
Rigid foam insulation is a highly recommended insulation for concrete applications, including foundations, basement walls, crawl spaces, and concrete slabs. With the right tools, anyone can insula...
Blue Board Insulation TipsIf you have a space or basement where framing the walls for insulation isn't an option, you can install blue board insulation to keep it the temperature you want inside y...
Installing a covering over insulation is necessary for the insulation to work properly. It is especially important in living spaces to protect people from irritating fibers in fiberglass insulatio...
Along with fiberglass and cellulose, foam is the most common type of insulation. Two types of foam insulation are foam board and spray foam. Foam board, typically consisting of polyurethane or pol...
