Importance Of Foundation Insulation
This article examines the importance and benefits of foundation insulation or basement wall insulation in preventing insect infestation, radon infestation, moisture issues and other serious problems. This kind of insulation is required because an uninsulated foundation that is made of concrete or stone can cause the leakage of heat from an otherwise well-insulated home. Without this insulation the various rooms could become uncomfortable. On the other hand, a properly installed foundation insulation offers several advantages, including the elimination of moisture condensation and the reduction in the heating requirements during winter.
However, care should be taken to design and install the foundation insulation properly. If not, this could result in insect infestation, moisture problems, and radon infiltration. One way to install this insulation is to apply it outside as an exterior wall insulation. It is believed by many building experts that the best method for damp-proofing the external walls of the basement is to apply a mat made from rigid fiberglass. A waterproofing chemical is applied under the mat and over the whole foundation. And for areas with poor soil drainage, a drainage system for the perimeter that is made up of filter fabric, punctured plastic pipe and washed gravel is suggested. Another type of insulation that is in the form of foam is sometimes infused with boric acid for the purpose of preventing termite infestation. However, it has been found that the acid is able to slowly leach out of the foam insulation in the presence of ground water.
It is believed that a better way to insulate the foundation is to apply the insulation on the interior walls. Advantages include less expenses, a broader choice of materials, and avoidance of the threat of insect infestation. However, many of the insulation materials need to be provided with fire-rated covering because they produce toxic gases when exposed to fire. This method also decreases the living space and it is not capable of protecting the waterproofing coat, unlike the external insulation.
Meanwhile, newly developed construction systems have been made available for the foundation to provide both insulation and structural requirements. One example is the Insulating Concrete Form system that applies a rigid foam board that is inserted in the middle of a concrete wall that has been cast-in-place. These materials can replace both plywood and steel forms. It has been found that the best way is to entirely fill the hollow block cores of the foundation.
Still another innovative foundation insulation strategy is the insulation of slab-on-grade foundations. This can be done between the slab and the interior of the footing or over the external part of the slab edge or footing. Oftentimes, the slab is also insulated from the ground. The benefit of insulating the external part of the slab edge or footing is that it minimizes heat loss from the slab and the foundation. If the insulation is placed in the interior, it has the advantage of providing better protection against damage and insects. It also separates the slab from the footing that has a lower temperature.
