Tips for Insulating Your Basement by Spray Foam

Basements are frequently damp, odorous, smokey, and uninviting environments. They aren’t suited for storage, let alone as a living space. The reality is that technology and knowledge of building science have progressed a lot. Most new and old basements can upgrade to a level that will help you save money over the long term and make your home safer and safer for your family. In this post, we’ll talk about the best methods to follow when installing insulation in your basement with spray foam insulation.

Why Are Basements So Damp and Smelly?

It is essential to know the reason basements are typically humid and smelly in the first place. The smell commonly found in basements is caused by decay. Basements leak and must get repaired before proceeding. However, in many cases, water that accumulates on basement walls is caused by the temperature difference between warm air within the house and the chilly walls. The warm air comes into direct contact with rigid walls and then condenses into water, similar to the cold drinks you drink in the heat of the day. The walls aren’t warm enough or have enough air circulation to dry completely. It is the ideal environment for mold.

Traditional Basement Insulation Methods

A 2×4 wall gets built around the perimeter of the basement. Sometimes it is a tar-paper type material. It is used first before any plumbing, or electrical wiring gets installed. The stud cavity and rim joist cavity get filled with a friction-fit product, typically fiberglass batts. Occasionally rock wool batts can use. It is a fairly straightforward system, but how come it fails to stop mold and dampness in most instances? The traditional poly and fiberglass air/vapor barriers are challenging to install correctly in basements. They require precise installation of the air barrier and vapor, which get not realized in 98% of buildings. When moisture has started to form in-wall, the drying out process gets prolonged due to an air barrier. Once fiberglass batts are wet, they will be permanently damaged.

We only need an air-impermeable structure that can isolate warm interior air from outside cold walls. That means you require an air-tight foam material. It is possible to use an item made of foam. The issue is that to achieve an air-tight barrier that is 100% what we require; you’ll need to install the foam board in all the rim joists and seal the entire project with caulking or tape. It will take a lot of effort and, in the end, will face several of the same problems similar to fiberglass batts.

Air Sealing

Air Sealing! We know that moisture problems result from the absence of air sealing. We’re aware of why other systems don’t work, and we’ll look at why spray foam insulation is the ideal choice for basements of all sizes. As the name suggests, spray foam insulation gets sprayed into the right place. It is one massive, perfectly-fit piece of insulation that gets covered at the top, bottom, and inside all the cavities in the rim joist.

Stated spray foam insulation provides the ideal method of insulating any basement, and why isn’t it used for every home? What is the price to air-seal a basement by using spray foam insulation? It’s likely to cost double the conventional fiberglass/poly method. While this is the upfront price, you’ll see substantial savings in heating bills and a safer and more comfortable home that your entire family can enjoy. It only takes a couple of years to pay back this initial investment. However, the advantages that spray foam insulation can bring to your basement can last for the rest of your life.

Here’s a list of Common Questions We Receive Regarding the Insulation of Basements:

Do We Need to Frame the Walls Before or After Installing the Spray Foam Insulation?

Usually, the framing process gets carried out before spray foam gets put in. It lets you make the most of the floor space in the final product. However, specific rim joist spaces may be difficult to access once the walls get constructed. Particular attention should pay to these places. Sometimes, it is better to spray first to get a good quality seal from top to bottom.

Are There Any Particular Requirements for Framing Spray Foam Insulation?

The answer is simple: that there’s no. There aren’t any special framing techniques to be used, but you can make some improvements that you need to consider.

• The framing should get separated from the basement walls by at least one inch. It lets the foam pass through all framing elements, creating an uninterrupted insulation seal that eliminates air leakage and improves efficiency.
• The framing process can get accomplished using 2×3 lumber because it’s solid once it’s sealed in the spray foam. It reduces costs and can increase the usable floor space, which is helpful for basements with limited space.
• California corners – This framing method allows for higher R-values and air seals at the corners.

Do Spray Foam Insulations Need to Be Protected?

All foam products, including spray foam, must be covered by a thermal barrier. In most cases, 1/2 “drywall is used, which is considered an excellent thermal barrier. Suppose drywall cannot install (unframed basements). In that situation, we can apply the DC315 thermal barrier on top of the foam, which must finish meeting the thermal barrier’s specifications.

613 Spray Foam is the leading company in spray foam insulation in Ottawa. Customers choose to work together on various insulation projects, including new construction, crawl spaces, and everything else. Get in touch with us to get a quote and to learn what we can do to help you insulate any project you have in mind. Contact us today by calling (613) 319-8422 or emailing info@613sprayfoam.ca.