Should Basement Floors Be Insulated

If you are planning to finish the basement space you should also consider adding a layer of foam insulation below the slab.

Should basement floors be insulated.

Choose a basement insulation option that is best suited for your home and budget. 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. When insulation is installed it is most commonly found between the floor joists to prevent the crawl space air from entering through the floors above. 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.

Foam insulation for instance is a common material for basement walls. 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. Basements require special subflooring that will not get moldy or deteriorate when exposed to moisture. In most cases a basement with insulation installed on its exterior walls should be considered a conditioned space.

If your basement floods at all or has any water leaks experts say to address that before considering any insulation solutions. That s because any insulation you might install on say the walls would potentially get ruined with excessive moisture. Rarely do home builders insulate the foundation wall or sill plate. Ceiling insulation helps stop heat from leaking into the basement from the floors above which means it makes the basement colder significantly so.

Insulating concrete floors if you live in a cold climate then you re no stranger to cold concrete floors in the winter. Even if they are insulated the insulation tends to sag droop and stop working. A properly installed subfloor will create a flat insulated substrate for the finished floor of your choice ensuring more warmth underfoot. Foam and water do not mix.