I am installing POLYPRO INSULATION BOARD (HAS METALLIC REFLECT BARRIER ON ONE SIDE, R-VALUE OF 3.85 for 1 in or about for 2 in .. OR KINGSPAN INSULATION BOARD. WITH NO REFLECTIVE BARRIER WITH R-VALUE of 5 for 1 in or 10 for two in. Which would be better? I am thinking of install fiberglass insulation of r-12 under the board with foil up toward the kitchen above..
For a kitchen/dining room floor above I just used 1 inch Poly Shield board in a well sealed basement. In another area I just used 8 inch Fiberglas with kraft face down. Both work fine. Poly Shield is fire resistant and can be left exposed.
This is work in progress. Ends were covered and sealed later.
I have multiple pod lights in my kitchen and I have blown in insulation in the attic. When I installed the lights, I just pulled back the insulation because of the heat that the flood lights could make. Since then I’ve gone all LEDs and I’m starting to think about additional insulation.
I know that they make a hat that goes over the back of pod lights, they were pretty expensive when I looked into it. Now with the evolution of LEDs and the much lower heat created, what’s the proper way to cover over the back of the pod lights and is heat a concern ? Read More
Hello
We recently bought a 90 year old house in Missouri. The basement is unfinished. Poured concrete. There are sills with bolts in the corners, but not around the rest of the foundation wall, as is typical. The joists sit right on top of the concrete. The rim joist/box plate is not insulated. In some cases there is a gap, enough for a pinky say, between the rim joist and foundation wall.
I'd like to insulate this area. We will not finish the basement, but it is used for storage and has some fitness equipment. So people will be down there from time to time for extended periods.
I have done a lot of reading on this topic. Here is what I have learned, and where I need help.
1) Fiberglass batt used to be the go to here but due to moisture issues and wood rot is no longer recommended
2) Spray foam seems to be what most people recommend given the issues created by the joists sitting on the concrete i.e. moisture rotting structural wood over time
3) The poly foam board plus can of great stuff foam DIY option crops up a lot. Some risks here of not getting a good seal and could end up looking messy. I'm not a great DIY'er. I know my limits and then hire a local well recommended 'handyman' to help me.
4) Rock wool sounds interesting but people are very divided on it's application and I'll still need to seal it with drywall for fire blocking - or so I've read.
I'm trying to accomplish two things.
1) Seal between the concrete foundation and rim joist for air gap and critter control. Want to keep pests out as much as reasonably possible.
2) Insulate. I don't mind if it isn't the greatest R-value. As long as I've done something to help out because right now (written during cold snap here in mid-Feb '21) those areas of the floor above are noticeably cold.
Any and all advice is welcome.
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02-08-21, 08:05 PM
