insulate concrete wall above grade?

bcbud3

What is the recommended procedure for insulating a concrete half wall that is above grade? The concrete wall is exposed on both sides. I am in Vancouver BC.

Bob Mariani

I will try to make this simple. hot air moves to the cold air. So in one season the air moves into the house and the other season it moves out. The only way to make this work is an air barrier that is not effected by moisture. So the answer is 2' form board or closed cell spray foam. In your area I would recommend a minimum of 4" Anything else you use will fail eventually. Also be sure to completely seal the joist space along the entire basement at the rim band. This is critical since the dew point is reached easily at that juncture and water condenses on the rim band and soaks into the floor plate and good bye house. The foam air seals and insulates. Nothing else will work as well...period!

Wildie

I have used 'foundation wrap' in my basement! It comes in a 50 foot roll and is 4' wide!
The fibre glass insulation is bonded to the vapor barrier. There's a steel strap on the bottom that is screwed to concrete with Tapcon screws and the top has a 16" apron that is stapled to the top plate and is fitted up into the joist cavity.

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Gary in WA

http://www.buildingscience.com/docum...Insulation.pdf

http://www.swinter.com/services/docu...Insulation.pdf

Be safe, Gary

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bcbud3

so its no different than a concrete half wall below ground?

Bob Mariani

The wall below grade will in most cases dry to the inside. the area above grade will dry to the outside. The area between the this plain needs to have a sealed thermal break