Should Basement Floors Be Insulated

Insulating concrete floors if you live in a cold climate then you re no stranger to cold concrete floors in the winter.

Should basement floors be insulated.

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. Ceiling insulation helps stop heat from leaking into the basement from the floors above which means it makes the basement colder significantly so. Basements require special subflooring that will not get moldy or deteriorate when exposed to moisture. Whether your basement is finished or not proper insulation is important for temperature control and the prevention of moisture.

If your basement floods at all or has any water leaks experts say to address that before considering any insulation solutions. Basements should be insulated on their perimeters they should not be insulated between floors. 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. Even if they are insulated the insulation tends to sag droop and stop working.

Choose a basement insulation option that is best suited for your home and budget. 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. 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.

That s because any insulation you might install on say the walls would potentially get ruined with excessive moisture. 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. If you are planning to finish the basement space you should also consider adding a layer of foam insulation below the slab.