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Community and Q&A

How should I insulate my basement walls?

4ekWeQhxRn | Posted in General Questions on

I live in northwestern South Carolina. I am finishing a basement and am planning to coat the block walls with a good damp-proofing product and then glue 1-2″ of rigid foam insulation on top of that. I plan to leave a small airspace between the rigid foam and my stud wall, which will be finished with sheetrock The ceiling will not be insulated. I have two questions:

1. Is this a good overall plan?
2. Should I still insulate the stud wall with fiberglass batt insulation?

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Replies

  1. GBA Editor
    Martin Holladay | | #1

    Simon,
    Q. "Is this a good overall plan?"

    A. Yes, although more insulation is always better than less -- you could always install 3 inches.

    Q. "Should I still insulate the stud wall with fiberglass batt insulation?"

    A. No. Fiberglass batts should never be installed on a basement wall, because they perform poorly in a damp environment.

  2. user-723121 | | #2

    Simon,

    You and Martin have it exactly right, this is the safe way to insulate a basement wall.

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