Interior insulation of basement floors and walls what about existing partition walls
Here’s the question I want to leave several interior partition walls when I insulate the basement floor and walls with XPS (pink board). I will of course do careful sealing of seams and edges and I am planning on putting a double layer of 5/8 plywood over the floor to create a floating floor. Can I leave the interior walls and perhaps insulate the bottom foot or so? We have only been in the house a few months, but see no evidence of mold or moisture problems. The basement area is a walkout and half of the primary living area for the house. The previous owner builders did not see the need to put up any insulation on the concrete walls here in Vermont! I’ve found several good articles from building science corporation and a 2005 fine homebuilding article, but nothing specific about this issue. I know it would be best to take out the walls and do the whole floor, but this would add another level of complexity to the project. Thoughts?
Replies
You answer your own question ... level of complexity rules how much effort/money you put into energy savings. Forget the insulation on interior walls. The relative benefit is very small compared to your level of effort/expense. The bottom plate of the wall provides some thermal break ... don't try to make things perfect ... life is not perfect ... and
Although there is very little energy benefit from insulating interior walls, I insulate all interior walls with unfaced fiberglass bats - they are relatively inexpensive and the sound deadening makes it worthwhile.