Should Basement Floors Be Insulated

Even if they are insulated the insulation tends to sag droop and stop working.

Should basement floors be insulated.

A properly installed subfloor will create a flat insulated substrate for the finished floor of your choice ensuring more warmth underfoot. In most cases a basement with insulation installed on its exterior walls should be considered a conditioned space. 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. Choose a basement insulation option that is best suited for your home and budget.

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. Whether your basement is finished or not proper insulation is important for temperature control and the prevention of moisture. Insulating concrete floors if you live in a cold climate then you re no stranger to cold concrete floors in the winter. 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.

Foam insulation for instance is a common material for basement walls. 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 and water do not mix. If your basement floods at all or has any water leaks experts say to address that before considering any insulation solutions.

If you are planning to finish the basement space you should also consider adding a layer of foam insulation below the slab. Basements require special subflooring that will not get moldy or deteriorate when exposed to moisture. Ceiling insulation helps stop heat from leaking into the basement from the floors above which means it makes the basement colder significantly so. 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.