 basement wall insulation (by elliot [RI]) Jun 16, 2025 6:01 PM
 basement wall insulation (by NE [PA]) Jun 16, 2025 6:03 PM
basement wall insulation (by Robert,OntarioCanada [ON]) Jun 16, 2025 7:05 PM
basement wall insulation (by DJ [VA]) Jun 16, 2025 10:21 PM
basement wall insulation (by Steve [MA]) Jun 17, 2025 7:26 AM
basement wall insulation (by zero [IN]) Jun 17, 2025 9:33 AM
basement wall insulation (by Robert,OntarioCanada [ON]) Jun 17, 2025 4:46 PM
basement wall insulation (by elliot [RI]) Jun 17, 2025 5:52 PM
basement wall insulation (by Steve [MA]) Jun 18, 2025 6:46 AM
basement wall insulation (by Dodge [PA]) Jun 18, 2025 3:20 PM
basement wall insulation (by Robert,OntarioCanada [ON]) Jun 23, 2025 2:51 PM
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basement wall insulation (by elliot [RI]) Posted on: Jun 16, 2025 6:01 PM
Message:
I am building a new house with finished basement. The architect specified R-15 rigid or R-13 + R-5ci for basement, R20 + ZIP R-5ci for walls, 2024 energy code
The insulation contractor quoted me $2.50 per square foot for 2-1/2" close cell spray foam, $3.30 for 1" rigid form board with R13 fiberglass batts for the basement wall insulation.
It seems no brainer to go with spray foam, I gain 1" space all around and save a couple bucks for the same R value.
I always heard fiberglass is cheaper than spray foam, so I planned to go with fiberglass wherever possible. My last house built 15 years ago was fiberglass wall insulation(The builder charged me extra $7K for using spray foam for under roof insulation).
Can anyone who is familiar with insulation comment on the options?
--74.97.xx.xx |
basement wall insulation (by NE [PA]) Posted on: Jun 16, 2025 6:03 PM
Message:
Spray foam --24.152.xxx.xx |
basement wall insulation (by Robert,OntarioCanada [ON]) Posted on: Jun 16, 2025 7:05 PM
Message:
Fiber glass insulation is a garbage land fill product where in Canada it is hazardous waste where where a Canadian dump will not accept. I put a bag of moldy fiber glass insulation in front of the house last night where GFL picked up then goes to Ann Arbour Michigan. Spray foam is air tight and solid board is air tight if seams are sealed up with tape. Spray foam has lowest heat transfer where solid board is good as well. What happens with fiber glass insulation is that it sags than with air pockets mold forms where heat transfer and mold starts up. A basement wall must be air tight along no mold as fiber glass insulation is organic. If have to go with batt insulation Roxul rock wool is a better option while not as good as spray foam or solid board. Forget about code requirements where it is better to exceed that. Solid board can be installed on exterior in basement that decrease the heat transfer along with keep the exterior wall dry. In the EU countries land fill products are banned like fiber glass insulation and asphalt shingles land fill products where used spray foam and solid board insulation. For roofs metal, aluminium and clay tiles. I put on metal roofs in apartment buildings and house in 2005 where today those roofs are still there. If rusts can paint if requires replacement can recycle. --216.110.xxx.xxx |
basement wall insulation (by DJ [VA]) Posted on: Jun 16, 2025 10:21 PM
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Interesting prices you got.
I always heard / thought spray foam cost more.
It certainly will do a better job, much faster. --47.4.xxx.xxx |
basement wall insulation (by Steve [MA]) Posted on: Jun 17, 2025 7:26 AM
Message:
Elliot, 99% of the time I prefer to use spray foam when ever possible. IMO it does a much better job of keeping air leakage to a minimum. A few times we've done a combination 1" of spray foam to seal any potential air leakage & Roxul or dense packed cellulose to fill the rest of the cavity.
Of course as with most things it all depends upon how conscientious & experienced the installer is. I've seen some foam jobs that due to poor monitoring during the insulation the foam pulled away from the framing & sheathing leaving gaps that ruined the entire job.
Are you going to be having a blower door test done before & after the insulation is installed? Also on the exterior under the siding will you be using a self adhered wrap like Blueskin?
Something to keep in mind when doing new construction or major remodeling is that unlike paint, carpeting, tile & even cabinets it always pays in the long run to use really good materials for hidden things like wiring, pipes, floor joists & insulation. These things rarely ever get change or replaced during the life of a building.
--71.174.xx.xx |
basement wall insulation (by zero [IN]) Posted on: Jun 17, 2025 9:33 AM
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Buy once, cry once. --107.147.xx.xx |
basement wall insulation (by Robert,OntarioCanada [ON]) Posted on: Jun 17, 2025 4:46 PM
Message:
The objective of insulation is lasts long along improves structure where spray foam or rigid board insulation the wall is stronger. if a building was super insulated then there is no need for heating and cooling HVAC system. R90 in ceiling and R40 in walls. A house with higher insulation levels the HVAC will last longer along may not come on hot days or cold nights. While costs more upfront where if spread over twenty years of saving energy along with resale is increased then will get money back then some. It is hard to believe they are using organic insulation land fill product where gets moldy along with loss over the years. Suppose the house was well insulation then could install a high efficiency gas boiler than radiant hot water heating with thermostats in each room. Also with spray foam insulation in walls less noise transfer. --216.110.xxx.xxx |
basement wall insulation (by elliot [RI]) Posted on: Jun 17, 2025 5:52 PM
Message:
Steve, I decided to go with spray foam for basement and will determine for upstairs based on the price difference. The wall assembly is Zip R5 with 2x6 fiberglass insulation.
I was thinking about blower door test after listening to Fine Home Building podcast. Hypothetically, the result is not as low as I would like to see.. What's the recourse? Identify the leaking spots?
This house is built in an older RI neighborhood. 3000 sqft living space. It probably is a white elephant as is. My thought process is, I am going to live in the house for 5-10 years, so not going to aim for high performance build practice. It will achieve decent comfort with the current plan.
If you ever come down this way, I will be around for next 3-6 months till it finishes. First time building from scratch, any suggestions/comments are appreciated.
--74.97.xx.xx |
basement wall insulation (by Steve [MA]) Posted on: Jun 18, 2025 6:46 AM
Message:
Elliot, in every new home that I've built for my family the only time that I've used 2x6 framing was when it was needed for either space to run plumbing or for strength issues. I've always found it much better to use 2x4 framing 16" oc with a layer on insulation on the exterior over the sheathing & under the siding, dense packed cellulose or Roxul in the stud cavity as well as a layer of High R insulation under the the blue board.
One of the best practices that I follow for each of the new homes that I built for myself as well as my rentals that I rebuild and of course the projects that I did for clients was to take decent pictures before the interior wall covering were installed of every wall / ceiling that had plumbing, heating & major wiring in them. Being able to refer back to these when future work was needed has made my life so much easier.
Currently I'm doing some major renovations to the house that I was born in. If my Dad had taken some pictures when he built it 79 years ago it would make my life so much easier (g).
IMO a blower door test is money well spend especially if you're the one who's going to be paying to heat & cool the place. If you have one done when the place is basically tight & before the insulation is installed the tester can show you areas that need more sealing. Then once the insulation / air sealing are done you should have them do another test.
If I get down your way in the next few months, I'd loved to take a look at your current project. --71.174.xx.xx |
basement wall insulation (by Dodge [PA]) Posted on: Jun 18, 2025 3:20 PM
Message:
Make sure the spray foam installers, prep to catch over-spray and also clean up. --174.60.xxx.xxx |
basement wall insulation (by Robert,OntarioCanada [ON]) Posted on: Jun 23, 2025 2:51 PM
Message:
In the house the fiber glass insulation has nothing but mold and bugs where it is worst type of insulation out there. If have to use batt insulation then Roxul rock wool is a better option where will not sag or have mold problems. I have to throw a bag out every week where the waste company takes it to Michigan as a Canadian dump will not accept hazardous waste. Fiberglass insulation is organic where Roxul rock wool is not along with fire proof. Insulation must minimize heat transfer for long time where that is impossible with Fiberglass insulation as once sags then insulation has more heat transfer then mold. The worst place for Fiberglass insulation in walls where the attic is not great either where mold forms. When divided up boiler area from laundry room used Roxul rock wool insulation along with fire rated drywall where there is big temperature from boilers and laundry room where no mold along fire proof. When they build new houses the objective is to the lowest cost materials which last at least the warranty then later on the homeowner has to start replacing everything. Minimum heat transfer lower energy costs for a long time then HVAC equipment will last longer as less use. --216.110.xxx.xxx |
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