How To Insulate Floor Joists In Basement

If you re ready to insulate the rim joists in your basement or crawlspace you have to decide between rigid foam and spray foam.

How to insulate floor joists in basement.

4b slab floors built directly on the ground. Fiberglass insulation batts or rolls are the most economical and easiest diy choice for insulating between the floor joist in a crawl space. 4d extend insulation into joist space to reduce air flows. Two story homes usually have another ring of rim joists above the first floor ceiling.

Here s how to insulate under a floor. Rigid foam is affordable. If you have an unfinished basement you can properly insulate the rim joists in two or three hours. Also insulate 4a any portion of the floor in a room that is cantilevered beyond the exterior wall below.

Joist bays the open spaces between floor joists are prime hosts for insulation under specific circumstances. The insulation should extend all the way down to the basement floor or at least to below the frost line the depth to which the ground freezes in winter. Department of energy recommends r 11 3 insulation under floors in warm climates and an r 25 6 to 8 in cold climates. Insulating the space between the joists in a basement or crawlspace can help reduce your energy bills.

4c as an alternative to floor insulation foundation walls of unvented crawl spaces. When the basement or crawl space has vents installed insulating joist bays. When insulating basement walls don t forget the band joist the piece of wood at the top of the wall that extends around the perimeter and encloses the ends of the floor joists. Once the ceiling is buttoned up insulate the rim joist the floor framing around the perimeter of the house directly above the foundation wall.

Hold the batts in place by stapling their paper faced vapor retarders to the lower edges of the joists. Cut the insulation to length using a square and sharp utility knife.