Do I Need To Insulate My Basement Walls?
Leaving your basement uninsulated can have a negative impact on home comfort.
Though they aren’t always the most commonly used spaces, the basement area of our home serves much more than just a structural support or a storage space. A basement can be used for a wide variety of purposes, and when finished and insulated properly, can be a comfortable living space.
When it comes to household insulation, there is pretty much no area that should be left uninsulated, and that includes the basement walls.
The Importance of Insulating Basement Walls
There are a few reasons that basement wall insulation is important and necessary. These range from energy conservation, to code requirements in certain areas. Regardless, having a properly insulated basement should be a priority for homeowners.
When the basement walls are insulated, the home will benefit in a variety of ways, including conserving energy, saving money, and being more comfortable in your home, year-round.
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Energy Conservation
Though it is often believed that insulating either the ceiling or floor of the basement is best, it isn’t actually the most effective basement insulation method for the space.
Your basement is far more connected to your living spaces than you may think. With the floor between you and the basement, much of the air that surrounds you each day naturally rises up to the main floor from the space. That air brings with it the temperatures from the basement as well, and due to this area of the home being at least partially if not completely underground, it’s usually significantly cooler in the basement than in the main living areas of the home.
When you add basement insulation to the walls, you protect your living spaces from the chill of the underground just outside the foundation. This way, your heating systems work more efficiently, allowing you to cut down on energy usage.
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Money Saving
For the same reason that your energy usage will be cut down, so too will your energy bills. With the systems working more efficiently due to the foundation walls being covered by basement insulation, your HVAC system will:
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Need less maintenance
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Cost less monthly and yearly over time
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Last longer due to more efficient performance
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Increased Comfort
Doubling up with Expansive Foam and Foam Boards drastically increases home comfort.
With the foundation walls properly insulated, and the HVAC systems working far more efficiently, the comfort in the home will also improve.
When a home is properly insulated, you don’t have to worry about extra socks in the winter, or swift temperature drops. You can live more comfortably in your space without the worry of cranking up the heat and having high energy bills later on.
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Code Requirements for Basement Finishing Projects
When looking into a basement finishing project, there are several things required for the health and safety of any potential inhabitants of the space. Among these code requirements is basement insulation.
If a basement is already waterproofed, then insulating the basement walls is often the first step to creating a finished basement. Basement finishing contractors are highly skilled at these services, and with your own sense of style and creativity, you can create a truly amazing finished space that can be used by the whole family.
Types of Basement Insulation
Insulated Foam Boards.
There are many types of insulation on the market, such as fiberglass, cellulose, spray foam, and foam boards. However, when considering basement insulation, most professionals and contractors in the industry prefer using a non-degrading foam insulation material for basement walls. Since most basements are either partially or fully underground, there’s a high probability that water, humidity, and the unconditioned outdoor air could seep into your home. Pests may also find it easier to create a home out of certain insulation types.
All Total Basement Finishing (TBF) contractors follow a specific basement insulation process. Using our closed cell foam insulation and concrete board basement wall products, known as our EverLast wall panels, we double insulate the walls, creating a solid barrier that can reflect up to 99.8% of heat back into the space, rather than allowing it to escape.
The closed cell foam board’s strength allows them to act as solid, durable wall products that clean well and are perfect for walling off individual spaces, as well as insulating the foundation walls. TBF's EverLast wall panels, a hard foam and concrete board panel, have a 50-year warranty against moisture, mold, mildew and basement flooding.
Total Basement Finishing's EverLast Wall Panels.
Finding a Basement Finishing Contractor
Insulating your basement may seem like a project best suited for another day, but truthfully, insulating your basement walls can help improve comfort and reduce energy and maintenance costs to HVAC systems. It also allows for extra living space within a home, which can be invaluable.
Here at Total Basement Finishing, we understand the stress that comes with finding the right solution for your home basement, especially when it comes to saving money and living more comfortably every day. That’s why we’ve created a network of basement finishing contractors with expert training and patented products to help create a beautiful, comfortable, and efficient basement space. Make sure that you get the most out of your basement, and a more comfortable home, with basement insulation. Reach out for your free estimate for basement insulation today!
