Insulation, Radiant and Vapor Barriers - REALLY necessary ?
Doityourself.com community forum was created to provide answers to all questions related to home improvement and home repair. Doityourself community can help you find information about how-to topics on small fixes to large remodeling projects. With comprehensive how-to content and expertly moderated community forums DoItYourself.com makes it easy to tackle even the most complex home improvement projects.View Full Version : REALLY necessary ?
ERIKGENE
10-25-03, 04:52 PM
I am in the midst of finishing my basement in the North East.
I have already framed my walls with steel studs on 16" centers. Set about an inch off the block walls. 3 of my walls are below grade one is above grade.
The walls below grade do extend about 18" above grade and one side has 3 small windows. Do these walls really need insulation. Being the earth provides its own insulation. At its coldest the basement was 50 degrees. Since then I have added a Dricore floor R5 value when finished carpet will go on top of that so the floor should not be cold.
I will insulate the open wall with R13 and I have about an 1" air space intbetween the wall and the insulation. For this I will use Johns Manville Encapusalted insultation as it has the vapor barrier built in and is well suited for basements.
The basement will be a fun room only, pool table, fish tank, work out equipment,
Your thoughts on the three below grade walls.
I have already framed my walls with steel studs on 16" centers. Set about an inch off the block walls. 3 of my walls are below grade one is above grade.
The walls below grade do extend about 18" above grade and one side has 3 small windows. Do these walls really need insulation. Being the earth provides its own insulation. At its coldest the basement was 50 degrees. Since then I have added a Dricore floor R5 value when finished carpet will go on top of that so the floor should not be cold.
I will insulate the open wall with R13 and I have about an 1" air space intbetween the wall and the insulation. For this I will use Johns Manville Encapusalted insultation as it has the vapor barrier built in and is well suited for basements.
The basement will be a fun room only, pool table, fish tank, work out equipment,
Your thoughts on the three below grade walls.
chfite
10-25-03, 05:25 PM
It is easier, simpler, and cheaper to install the insulation when the walls are open. It seems to be an inexpensive solution to temperature regulation, rather than skip the insulation and be chilled or hot later.