Basement Insulation
Comfort requirements, heating fuel efficiency, and building codes often require that basement walls be thermally insulated to limit the loss of heat from basements to the soil outside. Thermal insulation may be applied either inside or outside the basement wall.
Inside the wall, mineral batt or plastic foam insulation may be installed between wood or steel furring strips, as shown in Figure 23.4. Alternatively, polystyrene foam or glass fiber insulation boards, typically 2 to 4 inches (50 to 100 mm) thick may be placed on the outside of the wall, held by either adhesive, fasteners, or the pressure of the soil. Proprietary products are available that combine insulation board and drainage mat in a single assembly.
Inside the wall, mineral batt or plastic foam insulation may be installed between wood or steel furring strips, as shown in Figure 23.4. Alternatively, polystyrene foam or glass fiber insulation boards, typically 2 to 4 inches (50 to 100 mm) thick may be placed on the outside of the wall, held by either adhesive, fasteners, or the pressure of the soil. Proprietary products are available that combine insulation board and drainage mat in a single assembly.
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| Figure 23.4 A furred gypsum board fi nish over a concrete block wall. The Z-furring channels are attached to the masonry with powder-driven fasteners. The plastic foam insulation is tucked in behind the fl ange of the channel, and the gypsum board is screwed to the face of the fl ange. Long slots punched from the web of the channel (not visible in this drawing) help to reduce the thermal bridging effect of the Z-furring channel. |
