Faced Or Unfaced Insulation In Basement Walls

The facing should aim down toward the living space.

Faced or unfaced insulation in basement walls.

Typically here in the northeast i see several methods including. Basements are a challenge because of high moisture levels and cooler temperatures. Basements provide for a very challenging insulation problem. Attic ceiling insulation 32 basement wall insulation 18 blow in insulation 1 ceiling insulation 19 certainteed insulation 1 crawl space insulation 56 exterior wall insulation 79 floor insulation 38.

When local building codes require a vapor retardant faced insulation is one of the best options. Any time you use a faced insulation the paper needs to be facing toward the living space. The same is true for an attic floor. Unfaced insulation the type without paper is what you would use if you are adding insulation to your attic or to place between floors when living space is above and below.

Faced or the type with paper is typically used in first time applications such as in walls ceilings floors and in crawl spaces. The kraft paper on one side of faced insulation keeps moisture from spreading throughout the walls or ceiling. Although you can attach foam insulation panels to the walls between wood furring strips fiberglas is much cheaper. So in an attic the paper faces downward and in a crawl space it faces upward.

Owens corning homeowner s to insulating ideas for fort and energy savings basement and crawle insulation diy faced or unfaced insulation for a basement ceiling if our sauna walls could talk insulate with vapor barrier or let them breathe saunatimes rim. Diy faced or unfaced insulation for a basement ceiling. I ve written several articles on insulating basement walls and evolved some of my methods over time. Plastic vapor barrier against concrete wall fiberglass insulation inside stud wall then drywall.

It s not uncommon to see fiberglass basement insulation in direct contact with foundation walls. You should only use faced insulation as the first layer of insulation. The same applies to faced unfaced and other kinds of insulation products. Faced insulation has flanges on the outside of the batt that need to be stapled to the wall studs and joists.

Kraft faced insulation includes a paper vapor retarder which helps prevent mold and mildew. Unfaced means the insulation lacks a vapor retarder paper or plastic facing. If you re putting it in an exterior wall the facing is on the interior side of the home where drywall will be laid. The kraft paper itself is highly flammable.

For finished basements it s best to install traditional faced or unfaced batt insulation between studs in a framed wall.