A properly insulated basement can save you money on heating and provide a dry, comfortable living space. In most cases, a basement with insulation installed on its exterior walls should be considered a conditioned space. 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.

In new construction, adding insulation on the exterior of the basement walls will:

• Minimize thermal bridging and reduce heat loss through the foundation.
• Protect the damp-proof coating from damage during backfilling.
• Provide some protection against moisture intrusion.
• Make the foundation part of the thermal mass of the conditioned space, thereby reducing interior temperature swings.
• Reduce the potential for condensation on surfaces in the basement.
• Conserve room area, relative to installing insulation on the interior

In an existing home, adding insulation to the exterior of the basement walls is impractical. Interior basement wall insulation has the following advantages:

• It is much less expensive to install than exterior insulation for existing buildings.
• Almost any insulation type can be used.
• It eliminates the threat of insect infestation.

Moisture control is particularly important for basements, because they are notorious for problems with water intrusion, humidity, and mold. Our team will help find leaks that allow moisture into your basement.

The right insulation will make all the difference in your basement. There are several ways to go:

• Blanket (batt and roll) insulation
• Insulating concrete blocks (new construction)
• Foam board insulation
• Insulating concrete forms (new construction)
• Loose-fill insulation
• Sprayed foam insulation (good choice for finished basements).

RBC Insulation will inspect your basement and determine and install the best insulation.