Insulating Interior Basement Walls

Advantages of Insulating Interior Basement Walls

There are a number of advantages to insulating interior basement walls. First, the cost of installing interior basement wall insulation is typically much less expensive than insulating exterior basement walls. Second, interior basement wall insulation is less prone to insect infestation and damage. Third, you can use a variety of insulation types, including rigid foam board insulation, and/or fiberglass batt insulation or rolled insulation. Finally, compared to insulating exterior basement walls, insulating interior basement walls provides better isolation from the cold soil surrounding the basement foundation.

Disadvantages of Insulating Interior Basement Walls Insulating interior basement walls does have a few disadvantages compared to insulating exterior foundation walls. First, using 3.5 inch (R11) or 6 inch (R-19) thick fiberglass batt or rolled insulation reduces the living space within the basement. This is a particular concern if the basement is relatively small. Second, when insulating interior basement walls it is critical to use an insulation solution that has a fire retard covering. Insulation can release toxic gases if burned, so the fire retard helps to mitigate the exposure to toxic gasses when ignited.

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Third, if there are exterior cracks in the foundation or there is a poor drain system around the foundation, ground water can wick through the foundation walls and damage the insulation, and cause mold and mildew to form on the insulation.

Insulating the exterior foundation walls, on the other hand, can help to mitigate water penetration into the basement walls. Fourth, insulating basement interior walls is typically more expensive than insulating a basement ceiling, though insulating basement walls yields better energy cost savings compared to insulating a basement ceiling.

Finally, the proper installation of a vapor diffusion retarder (vapor barrier) is critical when insulating interior basement walls. A vapor barrier helps to prevent condensation moisture from damaging the insulation. If the insulation becomes moisture laden, mold and mildew growth is inevitable.