Insulating Ideas for Block Wall

Need to come up with an idea of insulating an exterior block wall to help maintain a more constant temperature on the interior side. My thoughts were to build a new interior wall an inch or two inside of the existing wall and foam it. The room that I’m working in is large enough than I can lose a few inches. Is there a better idea, product out there?
Jeremy
Replies
i think your plan sounds good. the only concern i would have is i have a commercial bldg with walls like that and termites had a field day. if termites are in your area i would driill the floor and treat it while you can. they love block walls! larry
hand me the chainsaw, i need to trim the casing just a hair.
IMHO it is better to put the foam in direct contact with the block, then build the wall in front of the foam layer.
Good thoughts. Now what about some foam ideas? Is it OK to use a closed cell foam material against the block wall (RE Moisture problems) And what about the conditioned air living space?Keep the ideas rolling boys.Jeremy
Well, I originally was just bumping this up. But now I realize that your second question:"And what about the conditioned air living space?"does not make any sense to me. What is it you are asking?Rich Beckman
Edited 1/5/2005 7:16 pm ET by Rich Beckman
do you have access to the tops of the block? I used poured foam (just loose stuff in a bag) that I bought for really cheap from my local foam house. a pickup truck full cost me 20 bucks and if I could have hauled anouther four bags they would have only coast me $2 bucks more!
This is what I get for going on vacation and visiting little sister. I get suckered into doing everything while I'm on vacation.Rich, I think I was having a moment of brain fade. If I use Expanded Polystyrene foam sheets against the block wall, I should effectively take care of any moisture migration in either direction ( either from inside house to outside and vice versa)Frenchy, I'm unsure if I have access to the top of the blocks. I haven't had a real good chance to do any investigation into what I'm dealing with. Now what is the lose foam that you can get? Is it like a styrofoam peanut type stuff, or a mix that you take part A and mix with part B?Thanks much,
Jeremy
JT,
See the attached article. It goes over the pro's and con's of all sorts of basement insulating techniques. I think the foam on the wall is the only way to go, but you have to allow the wall to dry somehow either to the outside or the inside. This depends on the individual situation.
Regards
Tim
Tim, Thanks a whole lot for that article. Well written and like you said did a good job on the pros and cons. I'm pretty sure that I'm going to go foam on interior wall, especially since it should be able to dry to the exterior (above grade). Thanks everyone for you help. I'll post some feedback on the job once I get going on it. I've got to work the numbers and see when I can get it scheduled.Jeremy