Can rigid insulation board be installed directly against concrete wall?
I read in one of your articles when putting up rigid foam to Install two inches of rigid insulation board directly against concrete. A mold expert told me to put the board on top of the framing, not directly onto the concrete wall so the house can breath. What is the right course of action? Thank you
What is the best way to insulate a concrete wall?
A hybrid system of foam board and fiberglass is one of the best and most cost effective ways to insulate a concrete wall. You get the best of both worlds. A great vapor barrier from the rigid foam and a thick layer of insulation from batts. Just make sure if you use batts around concrete that you get absolutely no water.
Can you install foam board directly against basement walls?
Can you install foam boards directly against basement walls? I read in one of your articles when putting up rigid foam to Install two inches of rigid insulation board directly against concrete. A mold expert told me to put the board on top of the framing, not directly onto the concrete wall so the house can breath.
What size foam board insulation do I need for my home?
Rigid foam board insulation comes in up to 4-foot by 8-foot sheets to help you rapidly cover expansive walls. Smaller and more manageable 2-foot by 8-foot and 4-foot by 4-foot sheets can sometimes be purchased, as well. Large sheets often come with shallow cuts that allow you to snap the sheets in half, without using a saw.
Do you need vapor barrier behind cement board?
If it's a cement board, you need a vapor barrier, because cement retains moisture, which means the wood next to it is always damp. It does retain moisture, but the advice given by others here is to move the waterproofing between the tile and cement board with products like Redguard or Ditra.
What do you put behind cement board?
Use an appropriate waterproof or moisture-resistant backing material behind grouted tile or stone or segmented plastic or fiberglass tub and shower surrounds. Appropriate materials include cement board which has a cementitious core and glass mats on both sides to strengthen the board.
Should I put insulation behind the shower wall?
When tubs and showers are installed on exterior walls, builders may forget to insulate and air seal the exterior wall behind the tub or shower surround. Neglecting to insulate and air seal here can result in significant heat loss and complaints from homeowners about tubs, showers, and bathrooms that are always cold.
Can you insulate under fiber cement siding?
Fiber cement offers minimal energy savings at . 15 r-value, but can be installed with fanfold or insulating sheathing products to improve the r-value of the whole siding system.
Is concrete board heat resistant?
Yes, HardieBacker® 1/4" Cement Board is deemed noncombustible when tested to ASTM E 136 and can be used in conjunction with other noncombustible materials around a fireplace.
Can cement board be used instead of drywall?
While you can use cement board instead of drywall, it's not always practical. For starters, cement board is 2-3 times the cost of drywall. It's also harder to find cement boards in the larger 4 x 8' sheets. Cement board does have its place, though, and is very useful for high moisture rooms.
What do I insulate behind a shower wall?
Sprayed insulation such as foam and cellulose are considered smarter choices compared to fiberglass, which tends to be more porous and susceptible to moisture retention. A foam pipe insulation can also be ideal for plumbing that runs behind shower walls as it keeps the pipes warmer during cold months.
Is it OK to insulate bathroom walls?
Proper insulation will help keep your bathrooms a comfortable temperature year-round. Bathroom projects need special consideration because of the humidity and moisture that bathrooms generate. When moisture becomes trapped in walls, mold and mildew can grow, damaging your home and presenting a potential health danger.
What can I put behind my shower surround?
0:111:28Do You Drywall Behind Tub & Shower Enclosures? - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd licensed plumber today I'm going to talk about whether you should drywall behind a bathtub orMoreAnd licensed plumber today I'm going to talk about whether you should drywall behind a bathtub or shower enclosure. Well if you look at most insulation guides the answer is according to the guides. No
Can you insulate under Hardie board?
Insulating Existing Walls from the Inside If you're worried that your hardie board siding might get damaged and you don't have any pieces to spare, then installing the foam from the inside is possible. There are some things you'll need to do before the installation.
What is the R-value of cement board?
With an R-Value of R-10, new PermaBase CI Insulated Cement Board™ meets or exceeds energy code requirements in all seven climate zones across the country. A National Gypsum brand, PermaBase CI meets or exceeds energy code requirements in all seven climate zones across the country with an R-Value of R-10.
Does Hardie board help with insulation?
While Hardie Board itself does not significantly increase your home's energy efficiency, it is compatible with insulating sheathing products, like the Fanfold insulation we use, which will boost your siding system's R-value.
How do I insulate a concrete wall?
The next best way to insulate a concrete wall is with rigid foam boards. This is the most popular method because it’s so DIY friendly and cost effective. Rigid foam is a great insulator, R-2 to R-6 per inch on average, and water resistant. I recommend you tape and caulk all the seams once the boards are installed.
Why put insulation on concrete?
Adding insulation to your concrete walls will improve your home’s energy efficiency, save money each money on energy bills and make it more comfortable to live in by regulating temperatures. There are quite a few ways to insulate a concrete wall, in this article we’ll discuss which are the best.
What is the best material to insulate concrete?
Spray Foam. In my opinion, spray foam is the best material to insulate a concrete wall with. But it comes in two forms, closed-cell and open-cell. Closed-cell spray foam is a better insulator with higher R-value and is more water resistant.
What is the best way to insulate a gap?
Use closed-cell spray foam instead of open-cell. Closed-cell is a better insulator per inch and water resistant. By spraying the foam inside the gap, right against the black, you create a vapor barrier and thermal break as well as providing great R-value.
How much insulation does a 12 inch wall have?
It’s strong, durable, resistant to the elements and very versatile. But it offers almost no natural insulation value. A 12 inch thick solid concrete wall has an average R-value of around a 2. Compare that with an inch of rigid foam with an R-value between 3 and 6. That’s over 20 times as much as concrete.
How strong is a 12 inch concrete wall?
But it offers almost no natural insulation value. A 12 inch thick solid concrete wall has an average R-value of around a 2. Compare that with an inch of rigid foam with an R-value between 3 and 4.
What is the R value of concrete insulation?
Think of insulation as a barrier that blocks heat. Concrete walls have an R-value of around 2. When heat or cold comes in contact with concrete it passes right through with almost no resistance. But, when that same heat or cold comes in contact with an R-19 wall it’s either slowed down or stopped.
What is the best insulation for a basement stud wall?
The best insulation for a basement stud wall in your case would be mineral wool, Rockwool and then drywall overtop. a 6 mil poly barrier before drywall will prevent your wall from drying, hopefully your municipal building inspector will let that pass if you're dealing with one.
Can you put foam board on studs?
But yes, we would put rigid foam boards against the wall THEN the stud wall, you don't want to have organic material exposed to moisture, particularly having a source of moisture on one side and an impermeable or semi-impermeable layer to follow. By 'Breathe' I hope/think they meant 'allow it to dry'.
Can you put rigid foam insulation on concrete?
Wise advice appreciated. Hi Mary, yes you can put Rigid foam insulation against concrete walls, we would recommend EPS foam and at least 2 inches for proper protection from moisture. read here about Choosing the right rigid foam insulation panels.
What is rigid foam insulation?
Rigid foam is meant to be continuous. By contrast, the classic wall system of studs placed every 16 inches on-center does not provide for continuous insulation. As an exterior sheathing, rigid foam is installed on the outside of the house, just under the siding.
Can you add fiberglass insulation to a moist wall?
Your best efforts at adding fiberglass insulation to a moist wall system are undone, often within a couple of seasons, by fast-growing mold and mildew. Moisture-logged insulation's insulating properties drop dramatically, and the presence of the mold means that the insulation needs to come out right away.
Is rigid foam insulation water resistant?
Rigid Foam Water-Resistance. Rigid foam insulation is considered to be impervious to water. Rigid foam insulation is better at mitigating mold than fiberglass insulation. But mold and mildew can still grow on the surface of rigid foam insulation. The difference is that mold and mildew cannot enter rigid foam.
Does rigid foam insulation soak up water?
But rigid foam insulation does not soak up water, and its smooth surface does not harbor mold in the way that fiberglass' millions of air pockets do. Even with its flaws—namely, its inability to perfectly mold to the bays between the studs—rigid foam insulation will be a better bet than no insulation.
Can you put foam insulation between studs?
While not the officially recommended method, the installation of rigid foam between studs in below-grade areas can have some benefits. For wood-frame walls, the manufacturers' intended use is to apply the insulation to the outside, not inside, of braced framing or structural sheathing. As a rule of thumb, any insulation is usually better ...
Is fiberglass insulation good for a concrete wall?
As a rule of thumb, any insulation is usually better than no insulation, as long as that insulation does not create more problems for you later on. Insulating with fiberglass against a vapor-heavy concrete wall is an example of a good-intentioned remodel that may create more problems down the road. Your best efforts at adding fiberglass insulation ...
