How To Insulate Concrete Basement Floor

In addition to offering insulation and energy savings the plywood subfloor described here can provide the perfect foundation for finish flooring such as carpeting adding warmth in look as well as in feel.

How to insulate concrete basement floor.

If you re planning on finishing a basement or portion of your home that has a concrete floor then it may be a good idea to insulate it before installing basement flooring. My plan is to lay down a layer of 1 in. The basement walls and floors of older homes are generally uninsulated. Address uneven floors prior to installing any floor system the low spots should be fixed with concrete patch or floor leveler.

Be sure that the floor of your basement has no water issues. While you can apply insulation over the concrete slab that requires adding wood subflooring and other components that add to the cost and complexity of the project. If the concrete floor is dry and reasonably level insulate directly on top with a rigid foam insulation that is impervious to moisture air leakage and radon gas. Step 2 checking the floor.

Step 3 sealing the cement. I would like to insulate the slab and install glue down cork tile flooring. His goal is to have the floor comfortably warm in this climate zone 5 locale even in the dead of winter. Three key benefits of insulating the concrete floors in the basement are heat loss prevention moisture prevention and a higher level of comfort.

Dave feldman is building a new house near boston massachusetts that will have a walkout basement with a tile floor. Use a strong concrete sealer to seal the cement basement floor. Installing insulation prior to the pouring of a concrete slab floor improves the energy efficiency of the floor and makes it more comfortable. Feldman plans to insulate the basement walls with closed cell spray polyurethane foam.

Installing basement floor insulation on top of the concrete floor is a good idea if you decide to finish off the basement. If there are water leaks or plumbing problems deal with them before you begin to do any insulating work. Xps rigid foam and seal the seams with spray foam and tape followed by two layers of 1 2 in. Insulating a concrete floor can save you money on your heating bill making an attached garage or basement warmer and by extension the rest of your house.

The old adage an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure really means something in a basement. If the basement floor is wet hire a professional find the source of the problem and fix it before doing anything. An uninsulated or under insulated basement floor is a major source of heat loss in the home. Insulating the concrete floor in your basement will save you money on your heating bill keep your basement warmer and help keep the rest of your house warmer.