Basement Remodeling
Submitted by: Christopher Behan
While many homeowners worry about the insulation in their walls
and attics, or how efficient their window and doors are, many
overlook their basement. At first glance it seems like the
concrete and earth around it would provide excellent insulation,
but concrete walls frequently have an R-value of one or lower.
During summer, a non-insulated basement can make it more
difficult to cool your home as cool air tends to settle here.
Winter is even worse, as the cold ground can absorb a virtually
unlimited amount of energy, in some cases 20 percent or more of
the heat you use to warm your home. In fact, many building codes
now require residential basements to be insulated and it’s
included in the ENERGY STAR guidelines for home energy
efficiency. So if you have an unfinished basement, it may be
time to think about remodeling to both add insulation and make
better use of this space.
Depending on where your home is located, it’s recommended that
you have an R-value of between R-5 and R-19, though R-10
insulation is protective enough to work for the vast majority of
the country. Generally this requires 2-5 inches of fiberglass
insulation or rigid insulation panels, which need to be covered
with drywall to provide an attractive appearance in your
basement. This insulation must also be encapsulated in a vapor
barrier to protect against moisture from basement walls. Without
these special covers, they will eventually soak through to any
drywall covering them and cause significant damage.
As an alternative to traditional insulation and drywall, many
companies have developed basement finishing systems that are
designed to both withstand damp basement environments while
providing reliable insulation. Many of these systems have an
R-value above 10, making them suitable for most basement
remodeling project and will naturally resist mold or mildew.
However, they are often more expensive than traditional building
materials and usually require professional installation.
Whichever way you decide to insulate your walls, there are other
important factors to consider when you’re looking save energy
with your remodeled basement. Sealing air leaks on the above
ground portion of your basement and between the basement and
main living area of the house is an important step to preventing
convection currents that can push air out through your roof. You
can also help prevent heat movement through your floors by
choosing to install either insulation below your floorboards or
using a suspended ceiling with insulated frames and tiles. A
final step you can take is having special water-repellent,
insulating grout installed below your basement floor. In some
cases this may require a professional to drill through your
basement floor, so if you choose to take this step be sure to
consult with your contractor before any type of flooring is
installed.
With these insulating features included in your basement
remodeling project, you’ll not only create a new space that you,
your friends and your family can enjoy using, but also reduce to
cost to heat and cool your home.
About the Author: Christopher Behan is a professional writer
specializing in the home improvement industry. His writing
focuses on basement remodeling, windows, sunrooms, and other
home remodeling products and services. His work has been
featured on multiple home improvement websites.
http://www.1800basement.com/
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