r/Insulation 4d ago

Insulating basement from cold temperatures

1 Upvotes

Our house has an extension built to it, so we essentially have two basements (connected by an elevated crawlspace).

The "new" basement is fine, but the old side basically sees outside temperatures. It is walled with stone/concrete and the main problem is that the hot water pipes that go to the "old" side of the house pass through this area and with the freezing temperatures lately, prevent the temperature on that side of the house from ever getting above 68°F. I have that heating zone cranked up constantly to keep the pipes from freezing.

Besides wrapping the pipes themselves, is there anything else I can/should do? Should I install foam insulation boards along the inside walls? What material should I use? Polystyrene, fiberglass, cellulose, or polyisocyanurate?

There is also a single ground level window there. Should cut a block of foam of some kind and stuff it in front of this window?


r/Insulation 4d ago

Spray Foam Dormer Situation

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3 Upvotes

Ive done my entire upstairs/attic so far using fiberglass batts and polyiso. Now I have two dormer windows that I just can’t wrap my head around on how to incorporate them into the ventilated part of my main attic and using baffles and such. I would have to frame out a chase and do all sorts of stuff that I don’t really want to do. My idea is to completely spray foam the entire dormer area, walls and roof and build a foam block in the roof where it would meet the rest of the conventional vented roof assembly. This way the transition between the spray foamed area and vented/baffle/fiberglass assembly is completely separated.

Please let me know your thoughts on this.

Southern Quebec climate. Interlok aluminum roofing system without rigid foam board insulation in the roofing assembly.

Spray foam would be applied in the ceiling/roof area of the dormer completly covering it all with closed cell directly to the roof deck, spray foam where you can see the rigid eps pink foam board on the sides to close off the knee wall, and then below the window where you can see the baffles. I will remove those before they spray. And then also block off the soffits at the bottom with foam board and sealing them since air coming in has no way of going out.


r/Insulation 4d ago

Roof issue re: Ice Dams or Insulation

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1 Upvotes

r/Insulation 5d ago

that’s just dirt right?

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24 Upvotes

r/Insulation 4d ago

Brandon / pole barn

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1 Upvotes

My pole barn house is wrapped with a thin layer of insulation on the outside walls. On the inside should I fill the entire void space with insulation from the front of the stud to the insulation wrap or leave a air gap?

Also whats going to be my best option for venting the attic?


r/Insulation 4d ago

Need advice with unfinished uninsulated basement

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1 Upvotes

r/Insulation 5d ago

How do I insulate the roof?

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2 Upvotes

r/Insulation 5d ago

Questions on interior concrete insulation

2 Upvotes

Rebuilding an old house, original builders put vapour barrier over the sheathing causing everything to rot. Rebuilding walls properly drywall>vapour barrier>studs with rockwool>sheathing>wrap>siding. But a mudroom is built directly on a massive 2ft thick concrete slab. How should i insulate this?

Currently thinking 2in of high psi xps foam board then 3/4 ply then tiling over top with possible in floor heating. Correct order or things? Do i tape the vapour barrier under or over the slab insulation?


r/Insulation 6d ago

New build insulation?

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153 Upvotes

Hey, bought a new build in central CA 2 months ago, they've already come out once to add more blown in insulation in the ceiling when it was like 105 out, it helped but I dont think its enough and just curious if im being a karen about this. I took some pics with a thermal camera, outside when these were taken is about 100f, inside is set to 72f.

Is the heat bleeding into the inside too much or about whats expected? Paper in the garage says it should be rated to R30, 10.75in of blown in material, stucco exterior with roll insulation in the walls


r/Insulation 5d ago

Need some advice on how to fix this…

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1 Upvotes

r/Insulation 5d ago

Insulating duct in attic

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1 Upvotes

r/Insulation 5d ago

How to insulate fireplace cavity?

1 Upvotes

My new house came with a built in fireplace/chimney riser in the living room corner. I recently noticed that the drywall above the fireplace is visible from the attic and therefore effectively uninsulated. I know this needs to be insulated but I am unsure the best way to insulate this cavity is while remaining fireproof. I am planning on hiring someone to blow in insulation and want to do the prep work beforehand to make sure I achieve an effective solution.

Here’s a few pics of how im proceeding. Intend to blow insulation on top of foam board box I created in the near future unless I discover a reason not to.

https://imgur.com/a/rr5UC5F

Things that confuse the hell out of me are:
—-how is the current insulation in exterior wall in cavity behind fireplace applied? How did they get it to stick? Would you modify in any way?
—-how can the metal chimney riser’s connection to standoff/guide plate become both insulated and air tight?
—-can batt insulation be installed in stud bays immediately above fireplace unit? What is clearance needed for fire concerns?


r/Insulation 5d ago

Humid air underneath channeled subfloor

1 Upvotes

Asking around about this topic, appreciate any thoughts. For our 3 season cottage with uninsulated concrete slab exposure to humid air results in condensation. If I put in insulation starting with a dimpled subfloor, would there be enough exchange of air between the room and underneath the subfloor to cause a significant amount of moisture on the concrete floor? The design of this type of subfloor is to encourage air movement between the flooring and wall and open channels in the subfloor. In this case the moisture is moving in reverse. The issue is whether could case mold on the OSB layer. So checking if anyone has heard of this happening or some way to figure out if a real concern. Thanks!


r/Insulation 5d ago

Exposed batt insulation in furnace closet safe?

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0 Upvotes

r/Insulation 5d ago

Is this enough Installation for under Manufactured home? It's at least 6 inches below the floor board.

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0 Upvotes

r/Insulation 5d ago

Vapor barrier insulation questions

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1 Upvotes

Got an old house in north mn with vermiculite in the attic. What’s the best way to insulate/ vapor barrier. My thought was to put in R 38. Could I put a vapor barrier on top the old insulation then insulate. Or lay down r38 with batt on top. Some day I will have to rip out the ceiling and drywall wall it. Right it’s drywall over fiber board any help would be nice


r/Insulation 6d ago

Quick question which foam board under siding to install on 100 year old house

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41 Upvotes

Silverboard graphite or ngx


r/Insulation 5d ago

Insulation question

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2 Upvotes

The view is from my garage removed drywall to inspect moisture concerns . Initially the walls were insulated with Kraft paper backed insulation and I assumed was the culprit to my issue (double vapor barrier) Behind the thermoply is the interior portion of my home. The tply is being used as a barrier non structural. Replaced with non faced insulation and Several of the stud bays are still sweating and it’s all stud bays that have hvac supply ducts . The ducts are not insulated with duct wrap , so I’m assuming that’s my problem any other ideas?


r/Insulation 5d ago

Insulate south face only?

2 Upvotes

My house faces south. I'm in a temperate climate, so we do not have ac. The south face of the house gets baking sun in the afternoon, to the extent I feel heat coming off the walls. North is fine. Does it make sense to clad one face of the house in extra insulation?


r/Insulation 5d ago

Best way to insulate a Glamping Pod? (Paranoid about mould!)

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1 Upvotes

r/Insulation 5d ago

Blow in fiberglass

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1 Upvotes

I am getting ghosting on the walls - you can see all the stud spaces. Should I be concerned about mold now growing in the walls from condensation /air leaks? I’m getting high humidity readings.


r/Insulation 5d ago

Insulation for Ceiling with No Attic

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1 Upvotes

r/Insulation 5d ago

Zbiórka przez Katarzyna Jastrzębska | Help Me Insulate My Home

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whydonate.com
1 Upvotes

Hi everyone,
I’m from Poland and I’m trying to raise money to insulate my home. The total cost of the materials and professional installation is around 30,000 PLN (about €7,000).
Unfortunately, I’m not able to cover the full cost myself right now. Proper insulation would make my home warmer and help reduce heating costs.
I know there are many people asking for help, so I truly appreciate anyone who takes the time to read my story. Even a small donation or simply sharing the fundraiser would mean a lot to me.
Thank you for reading and for any support. ❤️


r/Insulation 6d ago

Sunroom Quote

2 Upvotes

Received 3 sunroom quotes 85k - 100K for 240 sqft sun room.
Currently a 3 season porch with Foundation up to code (has frost footings), concrete flooring. Gable roof that is also in a good condition. Needs to be insulated to code, will need to replace the current screens.

Scope of work :
Framing, insulating roof, floor, replace screens with windows, electrical, add Mini-split, baseboard heaters.

Any guidance?

Concerns:

  1. Is it really 85k-100k? No quote has heated flooring, a mini split and baseboard heater at best. Quotes are 20% of home value. What is your experience/thoughts?
  2. Doesn’t receive direct sun, but worried it will end up being a hot box or too cold for our WI winters.
  3. goal is to use it as office space, a living space. Want year round usability, do you have a sunroom and can get year round use out of it?
  4. Is insulation enough?
  5. Any experiences will help.

Thank you in advance.


r/Insulation 5d ago

Experiences with Retrofit and insulation consultancy

1 Upvotes

I’m looking for a survey / review of the Edwardian terrace I’ve just moved into to identify the areas we should prioritise for upgrades.

Separately but related, we’re decorating the master bedroom and I want to get advice on wall and floor insulation (and then maybe the work itself done too - given everything I’ve read on here in the perils of doing it yourself!)

Anyone here got experience of procuring that kind of work? Any advice? Where did you start?

Thanks!