The whole purpose of insulating a basement is to make your basement warmer during winter and cooler during summer. There are, however many other benefits that you can get from insulating a basement. This article will provide you with benefits of basement insulation and types of insulation that you can choose.
Benefits of insulating a basement
1. Reduce electricity bills
Basement is located underground and it is usually cool so it contributes to heat loss in your home. By insulating your basement, heat loss can be minimized and as a result you will get lower electricity bills. However, the amount of saving from applying basement insulation is different between houses. Your lifestyle, fuel cost, type of heating system that you use, and the climate in your area are among factors that influence the amount of saving that you can get from basement insulation. The amount of saving usually ranges between $200 and $400 per year.
2. You can use your basement for other activities
Basement is commonly functioned for a laundry room and storage. If you insulate your basement, you can use your basement for other functions such as for an office or playroom. Browse on internet and you can easily find pictures of basements used by homeowners as their office.
Types Basement Insulation
Basically there are three types of basement insulation: ceiling, interior wall and exterior wall insulation. To get the most benefit from basement insulation, it is advisable that you ask advice from experienced contractor which type of insulation that best suits your home condition. Budget is also an important consideration when choosing the type of basement insulation. Read the following explanation on advantages and disadvantages of each type of basement insulation.
1. Basement ceiling insulation
The main advantage of insulating a basement ceiling is that it is the cheapest insulation option. Blanket insulation and foam board insulation are two common types to insulate basement ceiling. Basement ceiling insulation is recommended if the basement is unheated. To optimize the use of this insulation, it is advisable that all air leaks in your basement are completely sealed.
There are two disadvantages of insulating a basement ceiling. The first disadvantage is that it uses a few inches of usable space in your basement to install the insulation materials. The second disadvantage is that it does not give protection to the damp-proof coating.
2. Basement interior wall insulation
Insulating basement interior wall is the most preferred option by the majority of homeowners because it is considered as the most cost-effective insulation option that gives significant reduction on electricity bills. Interior wall insulation is also beneficial to absorb sound transmission between rooms. Additionally, this type of insulation can cool down or heat up your basement faster than other types of basement insulation.
One disadvantage from using this insulation is that it cannot be used for homes in areas that have hot and humid climate because the climate can enhance moisture buildup which leads to mold, mildew and rot. Another disadvantage from this type of insulation is that it consumes usable space in your basement.
3. Basement exterior wall insulation
One main advantage from insulating exterior wall is that it does not consume usable space in your basement. It also helps to protects damp-proof coating and blocks moisture intrusion. The only disadvantage from this insulation type is that it is the most expensive insulation option.
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