Your basement loses heat because of the ground's temperature.
Basements take an impact, as far as thermal loss goes, especially since they sit under the cold ground. Your insulation must provide you with a long-lasting barrier against outside temperatures, while at the same time posing as little fire risk as possible. With this combination in mind, you must use a durable, non-flammable material in your insulation. Check with your building codes first to learn regulations on basement insulation before taking any recommendations.
Loose Fill Insulation
Loose fill insulation consists of loose pieces of foam scattered around the surface where you apply it, hence the name "loose fill." As long as you seal your basement against moisture in preparation for this insulation, it will provide several years of protection from thermal energy loss. If you plan to install this insulation, do not use cellulose or any other highly flammable material. Try using something more modern like fiberglass.
Blanket Insulation
Many basements have a kind of insulation that simply rolls onto a surface and attaches with adhesive. This type of insulation, known as blanket insulation, may prove useful in walls and ceilings that require significant thermal barriers. If you look for blankets, make sure they have a coating made of a fire-resistant material. Fiberglass blankets covered in foil last the longest and provide you with a more efficient insulation without giving you any worries about flammability.
Spray Foam Insulation
If you don't mind spending a tidy sum of money, spray foam insulation proves to be the most efficient type of insulation, especially in basements and attics. Spray foam insulation, much like the name implies, consists of a combination of chemicals that spray onto a surface and harden up when exposed to air. The bubbles and gaps inside the insulation provide an excellent thermal barrier and the foam doesn't degrade as quickly as other types of insulation. Most local building codes require that you cover spray foam insulation with drywall or some other type of barrier.
Considerations
Before buying material and hiring contractors, seal your basement against humidity. If you don't perform this step, humidity will destroy your insulation very quickly and you might end up having to invest more money to repair everything than you would if you got everything right the first time.
Related posts
Insulating your basement keeps your home warmer in the winter.Insulating your basement ceiling is one way to reduce the amount of energy you use each month. Foam board insulation and blanket insul...
Dow insulation is a foam board made of Styrofoam perimate.Anyone who has worked with insulation knows that it can be very unpleasant. Fiberglass insulation can leave you feeling very itchy and spr...
Building insulation for basements is often used to protect the interior from external temperature fluctuations. In Canada, thermal insulation is especially important for basements in areas that ex...
Seal around electrical outlets to prevent moist air from leaking in.Basement walls and floors have special problems when it comes to insulation, according to the Minnesota Department of Commerce E...
An insulated roof deck will protect items stored in the attic from inclement weather.Attic roofs coated with foam insulation create a sealed space that becomes part of the living space in your hom...
