Basement Insulation – How to Buy and Install It

Basements normally hold a large amount of moisture. For this reason, they need to be very well insulated. This will help to keep the moisture out, and it will also help with heating and cooling the in the winter and summer months.

Actually, the basement can account for 25% of a home’s heat loss! Good basement insulation can actually help you save money on your utility bills! If you are getting ready to finish your basement, here are some great tips for insulation.

Purchasing

When you are purchasing the insulation, you will probably be tempted to buy the cheapest insulation that the building supply store has. However, if you purchase quality insulation that is thick and protective, you will be glad in the long run.

Make sure that you purchase the thickest insulation you can fit into the spaces in your basement. This will protect your basement and help with the heating and cooling.

Also, blanket insulation is normally the kind that people use for basement insulation. Making sure that you purchase the right kind of insulation rather than the cheapest kind will help you save money in the long run.

Installing

When you install your insulation in the basement, make sure you use insulation tape to seal it all. Here’s what you do.

When you have installed the insulation in the grooves or between the lumber and stapled or fastened it up, use the tape to seal the space between one sheet of insulation and the next.

If you need to, you can peel back a bit of the facing in order to do this. This will seal cracks in the insulation and will provide more protection.

Other

When you are placing basement insulation in the walls, try to wedge it behind and around pipes and other fixtures. This will provide more protection. However, if you are unable to do this, you will need to carefully cut the insulation to fit around and beside the fixtures.

Utilizing the tips and advice above will really help you save money on your utility bills and keep your basement from developing mold and mildew. Enjoy your basement!