I purchased my first home in March and ripped ALL the carpet on the first level out. I realised afterward that even though the carpet smelt bad it was actually helping keep the living areas warmer. So now as winter gets closer I am starting to freak out about how cold it will get in the dead of winter not to mention what my heating bill will be. I moved from Sydney, Aus to Buffalo, NY so am particularly sensitive to the cold.
My Husband and I have been arguing back and forth he wants to recarpet but we were lucky enough when we pulled up the carpet to get decent looking wood floors and I would like to keep them.
So I was thinking we could insulate the basement. Now my basement is damp, not wet, just damp enough to smell bad. I had a waterproofer come over yesterday and he says it wasn't bad and could wait longer before I HAD to do something and I just can't afford his $8000 quote right now. So I would have to insulate the roof of the basement. Is this really an ok option? or would carpet be better?
And if I can do the roof is the R-19 ok or do I need something different? Do I need a vapour barrier and if I do do I put it up first and then the insulation? OR since my basement is the area that isdamp do I do the insulation and then the vapour barrier?
If someone could advise me on this I would really appreciate it!! Thanks.
My Husband and I have been arguing back and forth he wants to recarpet but we were lucky enough when we pulled up the carpet to get decent looking wood floors and I would like to keep them.
So I was thinking we could insulate the basement. Now my basement is damp, not wet, just damp enough to smell bad. I had a waterproofer come over yesterday and he says it wasn't bad and could wait longer before I HAD to do something and I just can't afford his $8000 quote right now. So I would have to insulate the roof of the basement. Is this really an ok option? or would carpet be better?
And if I can do the roof is the R-19 ok or do I need something different? Do I need a vapour barrier and if I do do I put it up first and then the insulation? OR since my basement is the area that isdamp do I do the insulation and then the vapour barrier?
If someone could advise me on this I would really appreciate it!! Thanks.