I have a 200 year old farmhouse that I have been slowly renovating. The basement is 10′ deep. The last 2 feet are brick above grade. The floor “trusses” are logs that adzed flat. The floor and sub floor are pine or spruce, both running in the same direction. My furnace and water heater, etc are all in my basement. I would like to insulate the ceiling of the basement to at least stop air movement. I am not sure what to use. I could calulk everything to just stop air movement. I put up vapour barrier. I could go rigid foam for extra$$ or use fiberglass batts. My basement is dirt with plastic down, then gravel floor. I am not worried about freezing pipes it’s takes months for that space to change temprature. Water comes in and flows out throught the stone wall. I am not sure what route to take. Just vapour barrier woud help to stop air movement. It’s a large space about 20’x40′. Batts would be easy and cheap. Any advice woudl be great.
ab
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There's been discussion here in the past about using Tyvek for this -- it's a good air barrier, pretty tough, easy to handle, and not too bad looking, and the white color helps make the area brighter. Arguments that it's flammable, but experiments show that it will briefly ignite but quickly goes out. (Not sure about other housewrap products.)
If I were in your situation I'd strongly consider it.
thanks for the reply. That seems like an interesting solution, I will look into it.
ab
You would like to insulate the basement ceiling!
I imagine from your coments that the existing ceiling leaks air, leading to cold feet and cold rooms above.
I would suggest that fixing sheets of polystyrene across the ceiling, is the best, quickist and easyist way to solve your problem.
Keep in mind that polystyrene melts at 340 degrees C. It needs to be protected by fixing sheets of drywall below it.
A half inch thick sheet of drywall will give you a 30 minute fire wall, giving you a chance to put any fire out. Be careful and fit a smoke detector to give you early warning of fire.