Insulation, Radiant and Vapor Barriers - Faced or unfaced?
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Homebuddy
01-23-06, 10:18 AM
Should the insulation in my basement, which is 16" full-width for steel studs, be faced or unfaced? My remodeler says , because of the paper on the greenboard he is using (moisture-resistant drywall), he is planning to use unfaced fiberglass insulation. Does anyone know of a reason not to use the infaced in this situation? Oh why is it all so complicated, and why are there so many ways of finishing basements!! :(
doug thomas
01-23-06, 02:21 PM
The problem is that the concrete is a condensation surface, so you have to keep moisture from touching it
AND
Moisture is traveling inward from the soil through the wall, so you have to make sure that this moisture can dry inwards. In above grade walls, this isn't happening.
So put a breathable board against the wall, to keep moisture from condensing on the concrete and to keep the studs off the wall.
And put unfaced on the inside of the wall.
Or go to a sprayed in breathable foam plastic. It keeps interior humidity off the wall, and allows soil moisture to dry inwards.
AND
Moisture is traveling inward from the soil through the wall, so you have to make sure that this moisture can dry inwards. In above grade walls, this isn't happening.
So put a breathable board against the wall, to keep moisture from condensing on the concrete and to keep the studs off the wall.
And put unfaced on the inside of the wall.
Or go to a sprayed in breathable foam plastic. It keeps interior humidity off the wall, and allows soil moisture to dry inwards.