Insulation is vital in every part of your home. However, proper insulation is essential when it comes to your basement. A properly insulated basement can significantly reduce monthly bills, balance heating and cooling cycles from one season to the next and prevent mold and mildew from forming.

In Ontario, there are four main types of insulation, spray foam insulation, fiberglass insulation, cellulose insulation, and mineral wool insulation.

R-value is a measure of an insulator’s ability to resist heat transfer. Insulation works by slowing down heat transfer. For example, the average home’s attic insulation should be an R-30 value, the walls an R-11, and the recommended R-10 for basements is 2 inches of insulation. Even this level of insulation can reduce heat loss by up to 93%.

When it comes to basements and damp areas, spray foam is the best type of insulation. Closed-cell spray foam is perfect for locking “out” the water vapour that inherently wants to migrate from your damp basement walls to your finished basement rooms.

Spray foam offers several benefits, including additional structural stability and an excellent vapour barrier. In addition, it quickly covers pipes, wires and other utilities and provides exceptional R values.

The downfalls of spray foam insulation are the higher cost and messy application. However, suppose you are not afraid of a little mess and can afford it. In that case, spray foam is the ultimate insulation solution.

The next best thing when it comes to insulation is foam boards. It is one of the easiest for beginners and DIY lovers to handle and is most often used by our home renovation experts.  However, with so many products on today’s market, I recommend reading Foam Board Insulation Types and R Values to understand better what will work best for your needs.

When working with foam boards, choosing the right thickness and sealing it properly to create an excellent vapour barrier is key. Depending on your local energy requirements, you will need 2-4 inches of thickness when using foam boards. In addition, our experts at YoffeHomes recommend using Tyvek (or similar) house wrap tape and a foam spray to seal around your hard-to-reach areas and along the edges. For more information on how to use foam boards for insulation, click here: How To Insulate Basement Walls with Polystyrene Insulation.

The third method our experts at YoffeHomes like to use is a hybrid system of foam boards and fiberglass insulation. It is the most cost-effective method and works well in basements with no signs of water damage. DO NOT use this type of insulation if you have any history or signs of water penetrating your basement.

This insulation method works by installing foam boards and sealing them, as mentioned previously, framing your wall and installing the fiberglass insulation between the wall studs. The key here is to achieve the proper R-value required by the local energy code. Most references do not suggest using a vapour barrier on fiberglass insulation. However, there has been some disagreement in this grey area.

Last but not least, after the insulation is in place, is to finish the wall.  There are a few ways to finish the wall; furring strips can then be attached through the plastic sheeting and foam to hold the drywall. Alternatively, you can tape the bottom edge of the plastic sheeting to the floor. Covering walls with insulation and plastic sheeting can help protect your home from drafts and heat loss. In addition, by taping the edge of the plastic sheeting to the bottom plate of the wall, you can create an additional layer of insulation before installing drywall. This will help keep your home warm during the winter and cool during the summer.

After you seal and insulate your basement, you’ll immediately see a difference in the comfort of your home. The overall humidity will be lower, and your basement will feel dryer and warmer. Plus, your energy bills will show improved efficiency.