QA

How To Put Insulation In Basement Ceiling

How do you insulate a basement ceiling?

Basement ceilings can easily be insulated with unfaced fiberglass batts or blankets installed between the floor joists and held in place with wire, fishing line or spring metal supports called “tiger claws”. Insulating the basement ceiling will keep most of the heat upstairs in the living space.

Should I put a vapor barrier on my basement ceiling?

If the basement is finished and has no moisture issues, the vapor barrier is not needed. If it has moisture issues, the vapor barrier is probably a problem.

Should I insulate the ceiling of my finished basement?

Basements don’t require insulation. For example, if you plan to finish your basement, it’s best to have ceiling insulation to help keep the basement warm. The most important thing to remember is that your basement should be kept dry and conditioned. This is essential to keeping it free of pests and moisture issues.

Is insulating basement worth it?

Insulating your basement may seem like a project best suited for another day, but truthfully, insulating your basement walls can help improve comfort and reduce energy and maintenance costs to HVAC systems. It also allows for extra living space within a home, which can be invaluable.

What R value insulation do I need for basement ceiling?

In fact, you’ll need a minimum value of R-10 for your basement ceiling. The higher the number, the more heat-resistant the surface you’re insulating will be.

Should I use faced or unfaced insulation in basement?

Place faced insulation between the studs with the vapor retarder facing the interior of the room. For the band joist, use unfaced cut-to-fit pieces of insulation and place them snugly into the space.

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.

Does insulating basement ceiling reduce noise?

Soundproofing the basement ceiling is the best way to reduce noise transfer from the basement to the rooms above and noise from above into the basement. Sound can be airborne or impact noise. An unfinished ceiling with exposed joists does little to reduce sound transfer.

How can I insulate my basement cheaply?

The smart and inexpensive way to insulate joist bays is to use extruded polystyrene (XPS) foam insulation panels cut to size to fit inside the bay and “glued” in with expanding foam. When the expanding foam hardens, trim away the excess and cover the foam with a piece 1/2″ thick drywall to meet fire code.

Is it OK to use fiberglass insulation in basement?

Remember, fiberglass does NOT resist moisture, so it’s generally a no-no when insulating basements. You can reduce the risk of moisture issues if you first cover the concrete with a continuous layer of rigid foam or closed-cell spray foam. Closed-cell spray foam is the best way to insulate concrete basement walls.

How do I cover pink insulation in my basement ceiling?

Suggestions for covering exposed insulation include the following: Seal the insulation by stapling a polymembrane sheet over it. Install paneling or sheetrock over insulation located in the wall. Install plywood flooring over insulation located in the floor.

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.

Can I use R19 in basement ceiling?

Johns Manville R19 The insulation has writing on both sides, so you’ll need to make sure you finish the ceiling of your basement if you want to use it. But it can also provide some thermal protection in your basement if needed.

What type of insulation is best for basement?

There are several types of basement wall insulation, including sprayed foam, bubble foil, foam board and fiberglass. Sprayed foam insulation is a viable choice for a homeowner who is looking for a do-it-yourself option for a finished basement. The foam is applied in exactly the manner as it sounds — with spray cans.

Why is faced insulation cheaper than Unfaced?

The modest difference between them indicates that faced insulation costs about $0.10 to $0.25 more per square foot than unfaced insulation, which is likely attributed to the vapor barrier.

How thick should basement insulation be?

The thickness of foam insulation in basement walls will range between two to seven inches, depending on where you live and whether you use open or closed-cell spray foam insulation.

What happens if you put insulation in backwards?

Insulation should have its paper side installed towards the inside of the home. 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.

What side of insulation faces out?

Hi Kim, 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.

Does the foil side of insulation go in or out?

The foil insulation goes on top of the moisture barrier, followed by the roof covering. If you use bubble foil or rigid foam insulation, it also goes on top of the moisture barrier. Remember that there has to be an air space between the foil and the roofing.