I will be insulating a basement (interior side) shortly. Plan on using 2″ EPS, furring strips and drywall. Do I use the garden variety (Type I)EPS or do I get something with a higher density. Thanks
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Replies
Higher density = slightly higher R value, also = more $.
There is no other benefit in your application.
Joe H
I'd recommend something like Perform Guard if you can get it. EPS treated with borates to keep the terminates out.
Something I've pondered for my own basement: assuming some water seepage from walls (even with French drains), would XPS be better than EPS against the wall? Wouldn't the EPS soak up the moisture?
Granted I like the higher permeability of EPS better.
XPS is easier to use because it is more rigid than EPS. It is fine in basements -- see http://www.buildingscience.com/documents/digests/bsd-103-understanding-basements/?topic=/designguidance/buildingscienceanddesign/below-gradeenclosure/main_topic
Billy
Edited 4/23/2008 8:24 pm ET by Billy
Yeah but some jurisdictions don't allow foam below grade because of termites nesting in there....
Maybe on the exterior -- but we are talking about interior here.
Billy
Question: It's SOP around here (northern NJ) for people putting in interior French drains to leave a 1" gap between slab and foundation wall in the basement. I guess the idea is that water that collects in concrete block wall runs out holes at the bottom and into the trench, where there is pipe and gravel.Isn't this gap a way for termites to enter the basement?I'm asking, I'm not sure how versatile the critters are. I read on this board sometimes people talking about sealing that gap, not sure what the point is....
If there's water running down the interior walls as a result of leakage, then those problems need to be fixed before the basement is renovated. if the water is a result of condensation then the foam will cure that problem.
In the end I guess borate treated foam may be a safe bet but I don't know of a problem using the foam on the interior. I guess if and after the termites get inside the basement, they could use the foam as a travel path after they are inside the structure. But they can also use wood as a travel path and as food, and no one is suggesting banning wood from basements...
Billy