Should Basement Floors Be Insulated

That s because any insulation you might install on say the walls would potentially get ruined with excessive moisture.

Should basement floors be insulated.

Even if they are insulated the insulation tends to sag droop and stop working. Foam insulation for instance is a common material for basement walls. Choose a basement insulation option that is best suited for your home and budget. Insulating concrete floors if you live in a cold climate then you re no stranger to cold concrete floors in the winter.

Rarely do home builders insulate the foundation wall or sill plate. In most cases a basement with insulation installed on its exterior walls should be considered a conditioned space. Basements require special subflooring that will not get moldy or deteriorate when exposed to moisture. The insulation may not save much money in energy bills due to moderate earth temperatures at that depth but it will warm the floor surface enough to reduce condensation.

If you re planning on finishing a basement or portion of your home that has a concrete floor then it may be a good idea to insulate it before installing basement flooring. If you do use your basement as a living space a home theater a playroom or a guest bedroom for example the answer is no. Even in a house with an unconditioned basement the basement is more connected to other living spaces than to the outside which makes basement wall insulation preferable to ceiling insulation. If you are planning to finish the basement space you should also consider adding a layer of foam insulation below the slab.

Basements should be insulated on their perimeters they should not be insulated between floors. Foam and water do not mix. Ceiling insulation helps stop heat from leaking into the basement from the floors above which means it makes the basement colder significantly so. If your basement floods at all or has any water leaks experts say to address that before considering any insulation solutions.