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The Best Ways to Insulate Basement Concrete Blocks

Unfinished basements are traditionally cold, damp spaces isolated from the rest of the house. They can have a significant impact on the cost of heating a home. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, a home must have at least some basement insulation to be considered energy efficient. Unfortunately, insulating a concrete block basement can be difficult. Conventional fiberglass batt insulation may trap moisture, creating a mold problem. Homeowners who wish to insulate their concrete block basements have several options available to them.

  1. Insulation Inside the Block

    • In new construction, you can insulate concrete block basements by filling the air spaces inside the blocks with insulative material. According to the Encyclopedia of Alternative Energy and Sustainable Living, foam insulations, including polystyrene and polyurethane foams, are among the most common options. You can inject them directly into the spaces in the block as you lay it, reducing the amount of heat that escapes from the basement.

      Another option includes polystyrene beads mixed with concrete, then pressed into the voids inside the block. You can also fill concrete blocks with perlite or vermiculite pellets during construction. This form of insulation is unfortunately not available to homeowners interested in insulating existing block basements.

    Internal Insulation

    • Homeowners who need to insulate existing basements usually opt for insulation installed on the inside of the concrete wall. Adding this insulation reduces the available space inside the basement, but it requires no excavation, and leaves the wall intact. Extruded polystyrene panels are among the most common insulation products used for this purpose, as they create a vapor barrier that prevents mold problems. You can build a conventional stud wall in front of the panels, creating a finished look. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, this can significantly increase the perceived value of a home.

    Exterior Insulation

    • Externally insulated basements avoid the space-constraining problems associated with internal basement insulation, but they can be much more expensive. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, this type of insulation performs better from a thermal and moisture perspective than interior insulation. Walls with external insulation are warmer, and they reduce condensation. Installing this type of insulation in existing construction requires excavating around the foundation. It may be difficult to protect exterior insulation from weather and temperature changes.

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Green
  1. How to Insulate a Basement Wall on the Outside
  2. The Best Ways to Dry Out a Flooded Basement
  3. The Best Anchors for Concrete Blocks
  4. The Best Insulation Material for a Cold Concrete Block Wall in the Basement
  5. How to Insulate the Walls & Floor in My Basement
  6. The Insulation Needed for a Concrete Block Wall
  7. What Is the Density of Standard Concrete Building Blocks?
  8. How to Insulate the Ceiling of a Heated Basement
  9. The Best Ways to Put Carpeting Over Concrete
  10. The Best Ways to Insulate a Pole Barn
  11. The Best Ways to Wrap a Support Pole in the Basement
  12. The Best Ways to Recycle Concrete Slabs

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