I’m finishing up my basement remodel and have all the framing up after initially installing 2” rigid foam to the walls.
My question is about insulation in the stud walls. I may put some rockwool in the ceiling joists to help with sound proofing, but if I choose fiberglass for the stud walls to save some $, should I used faced or unfaced batts?
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unfaced. (or an itch-resistant wrap that does not block vapor)
If budget allows, I would go with the mineral wool insulation. It has a better R-value, doesn't sag or compress with time, it's moisture resistant, and critters don't like it. Mineral wool is more expensive, but not that different in price if you get a high density fiberglass. You've already installed 2" of rigid foam, and if you insulated and sealed around the rim joist, you're off to a great start, and the decision to use unfaced fiberglass may be an excellent tradeoff, especially if it's a budget buster...
Any plans to insulate the floor?
Thanks for the replies. Rim joists also have 2” rigid foam, and spray foamed the gaps. I do notice a big difference already even without anything in the stud bays.
As for the floor I unfortunately only have 7’ ceiling. I would definitely have love to insulate with foam and then do plywood with a floor. I think I will have to settle for and an underlayment and LVT flooring to save on headspace.
With a 7' ceiling you don't want take any more ceiling height... There's always trade-offs for every project... LVT flooring is the best invention since sliced bread, as it looks great, is very durable, and is low maintenance!!!
Interesting topic. I hear that you have only 7' foot ceilings. I had a house with a very low ceiling in the basement and I did add insulation, leaving about 6'10" in height. The basement was used mostly as an office and watching TV with a small play area for the kids. The insulation made the basement warm to use, even in the middle of the Canadian winter.
I'd consider adding the insulation and losing a little bit of head space. After all you don't need much head space to watch TV or sit at a desk and even a small thermal break will make a big difference. Besides, when will you get a better chance to do it?
This forum is becomming a bit of an echo chamber. Same questions again and again regarding materials and approach esp with regard to basements.
More folks need to use the search function!
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where do you live? How cold does it get? Why did you chose foam?
Note that you may or may not need another vapour barrier if you add extra fiberglass.
Vapour barrier needs to be no more than 1/3 the R value between the hot and cold. So 2 inches of foam is R10, you cannot add more than R5 of FG without having to add a vapour barrier on top. As for the floor, again why add plywood? You can place vinyl flooring directly on top. I live in Montreal and it gets real cold in winter and all I have is vinly floating floor. with a thin vapour barrier. and its fine on bare feet.
I’m in southeast PA, zone 5, so we do get some cold in the winter but nothing like further up north.
Yea the space will only be more of a Rec/tv room for the kids.
I think just an underlayment and flooring is the way I’m gonna go.
I wasn’t sure about the insulation in the studs bays but I knew R-10 wasn’t gonna be enough with the just the foam. I went with the foam on the walls and tied into my interior French drain, so if any moisture did find its way in it could travel down into the drain. Felt the foam was best bang for my buck without spending a fortune.