Should Basement Floors Be Insulated

In most cases a basement with insulation installed on its exterior walls should be considered a conditioned space.

Should basement floors be insulated.

When insulation is installed it is most commonly found between the floor joists to prevent the crawl space air from entering through the floors above. A properly installed subfloor will create a flat insulated substrate for the finished floor of your choice ensuring more warmth underfoot. Foam insulation for instance is a common material for basement walls. That s because any insulation you might install on say the walls would potentially get ruined with excessive moisture.

If you are planning to finish the basement space you should also consider adding a layer of foam insulation below the slab. 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. If you do use your basement as a living space a home theater a playroom or a guest bedroom for example the answer is no. Choose a basement insulation option that is best suited for your home and budget.

Rarely do home builders insulate the foundation wall or sill plate. Basements require special subflooring that will not get moldy or deteriorate when exposed to moisture. Even if they are insulated the insulation tends to sag droop and stop working. Foam and water do not mix.

Basements should be insulated on their perimeters they should not be insulated between floors. Whether your basement is finished or not proper insulation is important for temperature control and the prevention of moisture. The insulation may not save much money in energy bills due to moderate earth temperatures at that depth but it will warm the floor surface enough to reduce condensation. Even in a house with an unconditioned basement the basement is more connected to other living spaces than to the outside which makes basement wall insulation preferable to ceiling insulation.