Basement wall insulation

T-revb · 02-06-2013, 10:44 PM

I am finishing a basement with a 4 foot concrete wall with a wood framed and insulated wall on top. I am wondering the best way to insulate this, and if vapour barrier is needed. The top section is insulated with batt insulation and poly vapour barrier on the warm (inside) of the insulation. I am in canada where it gets very cold in winter and quite warm in summer. This is my idea. I will line the bottom part with a thin eps rigid foam, then frame with 2x4 in front of that. Creating a ledge around the basement. Then put batt insulation in between studs. Then vapour barrier tied into the poly above and then sheet rock both bottom and top part of wall. Does this sound like it will work? Thanks in advance for any advice.

Trevor.

joecaption · 02-06-2013, 10:52 PM

Go to the search funtion and check it out. This question has beeen asked and ansewered several thousand times.

T-revb · 02-06-2013, 11:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by joecaption

Go to the search funtion and check it out. This question has beeen asked and ansewered several thousand times.

Thanks for the helpful tip. I have been looking through past posts, but I find they are talking about full cement basements. I guess my concern since the top half of my basement is above ground and wood and is insulated and has vapour barrier is if I need to tie the bottom into that vapour barrier? Or if I use rigid foam against the cement does it even need any vapour barrier?

T-revb · 02-06-2013, 11:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by T-revb

Thanks for the helpful tip. I have been looking through past posts, but I find they are talking about full cement basements. I guess my concern since the top half of my basement is above ground and wood and is insulated and has vapour barrier is if I need to tie the bottom into that vapour barrier? Or if I use rigid foam against the cement does it even need any vapour barrier?

Possibly I am not putting in the proper key words for the search. Does this type of basement have a certain name I should be searching under?

Trevor

**Gary in WA** · 02-09-2013, 10:17 PM

Here are some local tests; ftp://ftp.cmhc-schl.gc.ca/chic-ccdh/..._Web_sept5.pdf

Canada test by BSC: http://www.buildingscience.com/docum...ent-insulation

Between fig.9 and photo 4, foam thickness; http://www.buildingscience.com/docum...Lstiburek_2004

Where are you located?

Gary
PS. welcome to the forums!

T-revb · 02-10-2013, 12:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gary in WA

Here are some local tests; ftp://ftp.cmhc-schl.gc.ca/chic-ccdh/..._Web_sept5.pdf

Canada test by BSC: http://www.buildingscience.com/docum...ent-insulation

Between fig.9 and photo 4, foam thickness; http://www.buildingscience.com/docum...Lstiburek_2004

Where are you located?

Gary
PS. welcome to the forums!

Thanks for all the info. I am located in Saskatoon Saskatchewan. Our climate would be similar to the results in Edmonton in the tests. From asking around, fibre glass batt insulation with interior poly for a vapour barrier seems to be the most common practice in my area. I think I will go that route with a thin (1/2") expanded foam also right against the concrete. I think this would help as it would keep the batts and wood frame walls from contacting the cement, and may help keep moisture from possible inward drying of the concrete from getting to the batt insulation and wood. And since this type of foam is not a vapour barrier I believe it would eliminate the problems associated with a double vapour barrier.

Trevor

mani1147 · 02-19-2013, 11:31 AM

HI T-revb, did you find an answer? I am in the exact same situation, I'm in NB, 42" concrete wall with 2x6 knee wall on top. I have no insulation at all yet. Just starting a major reno of this property.

Thanks
Rob