It is a good idea to insulate one\’s cellar to bring the energy costs down and to create an extra living space. Un-insulated, the warm air located above soil level mingles with the cooler air below ground level and causes moisture to collect in the wood framing and insulation. The result is a growth of spores which causes rot as well as unhealthy air. There are several basement insulation methods available and the home owner should learn what the best option is for their home.

It requires patience to visit the basement repeatedly and discover what the pros and cons are. Taking time to investigate the below ground situation will bring in dividends that will prove to be advantageous in the future. Older basements may not be very appealing to evaluate but if one chooses to do this when the weather is not too hot or cold, the process will be less uncomfortable.

There are three types of basement insulation. Rigid foam, polyurethane spray and blanket are the main choices. Not every cellar is suitable for all these insulating walls so one must first make an assessment of their cellar to decide which system is best. Once the homework is done the home owner can decide if they want to do the project themselves or contract it out.

When placing a priority on insulating their basement research homeowners find that the initial investment will not take long to recover. The entire house benefits from the energy savings that the new climate controlled cellar has to offer.

The rigid foam has the highest RSI value per millimeter and takes the least amount of space. If the walls are straight this is the best basement wall insulation. Two inches of rigid foam is placed against all the exterior walls and one inch on the floor. The pieces fit snugly into the adjacent panel. A special glue attaches the panel onto the surfaces. The seams must be taped and spray foamed. An alternative to the glue is nailing strips. Studs are fastened on top of the foam and on top of that a moisture resistant 12.7 mm drywall is added.

The new wall can be built in two different ways. It is built flush with the old wall using 2×4 inch lumber. Or the second wall is built outside from the original wall by using 2×3 inch or 2×4 inch extending out from the wall by 2.5 inches. This second option uses up more space but it also creates another layer of protection from moisture behind the new wall.

If the walls are uneven or if they have moisture problems the spray foam is the best basement insulation. This product must be installed by a certified installer. The foam is evenly distributed and covered by a fire-resistant layer of material. This requires special training, equipment and clothing and an experienced eye. Spray foam tends to expand so it is important not to spray too much.

Any windows in the walls need to be insulated with spray polyurethane foam around the frames. Water pipes should be wrapped in their own insulating material and moved away from the wall insulation. Basement insulation methods apply to windows also. Most of the outdoor heat and cool air comes in through the windows. The windows should be replaced with insulated windows that will greatly cut down on energy costs.

Author Bio: The leader in green Basement Wall Insulation, gives you a energy-efficient way to finish and insulate basements.

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