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Floor insulation Sign In/Join 
posted
We have a 1 story ranch home with full basement. We have electric baseboard heat with no heat in the basement.

As the floors do get pretty cold in the winter I was looking at insulating the floors from underneath.

I was wondering if spray foam would be the best solution as it can get damp in the basement during the summer or if I should go with regular insulation? What R value should I look for.
 
Posts: 1 | Registered: Mar 14, 2013Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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Your location would be a big help.

I would likely not use spray foam in your basement ceiling. While it is an excellent insulation for sealing the floor it will make doing any electrical or plumbing changes a royal PITA in the future.

You might want to invest in a dehumidifer if your basement is damp. You might also want to figure out where the moisture is coming from in your basement. Do a test to see if you have water migrating through your foundation. Tape a piece of aluminum foil or plastic to the wall in several places, sealing all four sides. If after a few days you have water condensed between the foil/plastic and the wall you have water vapor working its way through the foundation. Sealing the interior wall with Thoro-Seal or Dry-Lock can slow this down. Do the same test on the floor. Neither product will stop a high water table from leaking into your basement.

6" of fiberglass is plenty of insulation in your basement ceiling. It is installed with the craft paper facing up towards the heated space above.


General Disclaimer

Any advice given here is general in nature and is not necessarily valid for your given area. If in doubt check with your local codes enforcement department for what is required when doing electrical, plumbing or structural work on your house. Permits may or may not be required in your area and home owners may not be able to DIY some tasks. I have no way of knowing if you have the skills needed to complete the tasks you are asking about, when in doubt seek professional assistance.

My advice may be worth exactly what you pay me for it. :-) For the record I did not stay in a Holiday Inn Express last night.

 
Posts: 6657 | Location: Cary, North Carolina | Registered: Sep 18, 2002Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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