In This Article
Interior Vs. Exterior
Type of Foam
Installation
Subslab Insulation
Subslab Vapor Barriers View all Foundation & Sitework articles
Basement wall insulation is recommended in most of the U.S. except for the deep South. Energy savings are about the same whether you insulate on the interior or exterior. The best insulation to use is rigid foam, which is largely unaffected by moisture. There are some small theoretical advantages to insulating on the exterior having to do with thermal mass, but these are far outweighed by practical concerns.
INTERIOR VS. EXTERIOR FOAM
In practice, insulating on the interior is usually a better option. The main advantages are:
• Exterior foam insulation is often damaged during backfilling, and is difficult to protect above ground. There are a number of protection systems, but most get damaged over time.
• Exterior foam provides a perfect entry point for termites and carpenter ants, as well as a comfy home for carpenter ants who like to hollow out the foam for nesting. (In termite-prone areas, you may be required to leave an “inspection gap” at the top of the wall with either interior or exterior foam.)
• Interior insulation is easier to install and usually results in a better overall job. In retrofits, it is often the only option.
TYPE OF FOAM
Use either extruded polystyrene (XPS) such as Styrofoam or Foamular or expanded polystyrene/EPS, sometimes called “beadboard.” EPS is less expensive and rates about R-4 per inch vs. R-5 for EPS . Both types of foam need to be covered by drywall or another code-approved fire barrier.
If you’re not planning to finish the basement, another option is foil-faced polyisocyanurate, such as Thermax, with an R-value of about 6.5 per inch. You may be allowed to leave foil-faced insulation uncovered – check with your local building department.
If you are planning to finish the basement, however, insulation faced with foil facing is not the best choice as it can trap moisture. Unfaced foam insulation allows some drying to occur.
Spray foam is also an option, but usually a lot more expensive than foam boards.
When using foam insulation on basement walls, the building code (IRC) requires R-5 for southern states (excluding the deep South) and R-10 for the rest of the US. Many energy experts recommend R-15 to R-20 for far northern states. Estimated savings for R-10 insulation range from $250 in Washington DC to $400 in Minneapolis. You’ll also have a much warmer and dryer space, which may be the more important reason to insulate.
FOAM INSTALLATION
Place the foam board directly again the concrete or block and secure it with adhesive or concrete fasteners and washers. Make sure you use an adhesive formulated for use with foam board. For mechanical fastening, Plasti-Grip PMS fasteners work well for both concrete and block.
Seal the foam boards together with canned foam or a high quality building tape such as Dow Weathermate Construction tape or Dupont Tyvek tape. Also seal the foam at top and bottom seams with a small bead of canned foam. For a job this large, buy the large cans and a professional quality applicator gun – you’ll be happy you did.
If you are planning to finish the basement, you can use fewer fasteners and help hold the insulation in place with furring strips nailed through the foam or 2×4 studs, which provide nailing for the drywall and a space for wiring.
If you are adding studs, you can place unfaced fiberglass or rock-wool batts between the studs for added insulation. Because the added cost is modest, this a good idea in cold climates — as long as you have a very dry basement. If you’re not sure, best to leave out the fiberglass. If but could contribute to moisture or mold problems long-term.
No Vapor Barrier in Wall. Whatever approach you take, do not use a vapor barrier anywhere in the wall as it will do more harm than good, potentially trapping moisture and promoting mold and mildew growth.
SUBSLAB INSULATION
If you are planning to finish the basement space, you should also consider adding a layer of foam insulation below the slab. The insulation may not save much money in energy bills due to moderate earth temperatures at that depth, but it will warm the floor surface enough to reduce condensation.
Without insulation, water will condense on the cool surface of the slab in warm, humid weather. The damp slab causes musty odors and can damage floor coverings, finishes, and materials stored in the basement. This is especially problematic with carpeting on the slab. A warm, dry floor will greatly improve the quality of the finished space.
Two-inch extruded polystyrene foam (XPS) is typically used as one-inch foam is too fragile to place under a slab. Expanded foam (EPS) is a less expensive option, and considered better for the environment, but you would need to use high-density Type II EPS for this application. Type II foam has a nominal density of about 1.5 lbs/cu ft.
It is possible to place the insulation above the slab in a retrofit. There are two main approaches:
- Place 2x4s flat on the slab and insulate between them. The 2x4s can “float” or be secured with concrete nails or Tapcons. Then nail subflooring to the 2x4s.
- Place 1 to 2 in. of rigid foam insulation on the slab and float the subflooring above. Float two layers of min. 1/2 in. insulation above the foam, staggering all joints. Secure the top layer of plywood to the lower layer with nails or screws.
If there is no vapor barrier below the slab, or you’re not sure, it’s best to add a vapor barrier on top of the slab, under the insulation.
SUBSLAB VAPOR BARRIERS
It’s important to add a heavy-duty vapor barrier under the slab to create a barrier to water vapor, which can readily pass through the concrete. The water vapor will harm any paints or floor coverings placed on the slab and can add significantly to household moisture levels.
The plastic sheeting use for the vapor barrier should be at least 10-mil thick unless you are using one of the reinforced plastics approved for this application. It is easy to damage a thin layer of standard poly while prepping for and placing the concrete.
The placement of underslab vapor barrier has been debated heavily in the concrete industry for two decades. The current consensus within in the concrete industry is that, when a vapor barrier is used, the best location is directly under the slab.
The problem is that the vapor barrier slows the drying of the wet concrete, extending the bleed time and finishing time, and sometimes leading to curling of the slab edges. Curling is a result of the top of the slab drying more rapidly than the bottom.
For years, many industry experts recommended placing a layer of sand or gravel above the vapor barrier to absorb bleed water and, thereby, reduce the finishing time and curling. However, this was found to cause more problems than it solved. Water was trapped in the sand or gravel “blotter” for extended periods, leading to high moisture levels in the slab and basement — causing the very problems the vapor barrier was intended to solve. Placing the vapor barrier below the insulation creates similar problems by trapping water.
Concrete contractors have adjusted to the use of vapor barriers by adjusting their mixes, adding a little more reinforcement at the bottom of the slab, and using well-graded, compacted aggregate below the slab. In general lowering the water content and water-cement ratio will solve most of the finishing problems.
One last thing: Before insulating any basement, make sure there are no basement water problems. In many cases, water problems can be solved by better management of rainwater with gutters and downspouts that direct water away from the foundation. In new construction, it’s also important to place a durable vapor barrier directly beneath the slab.
Read More on Basement Vapor Barriers Foundation Insulation Coatings
Brandon Pelzer says
Should I Add 6-mil Poly To Foam Board Before Backfilling?
I am currently building in Minnesota. I am putting 2 inch foam board on the exterior of basement foundation. Should I put 6 mm poly between the foam board and the backfill?
buildingadvisor says
In most cases, granular backfill is placed directly against the foam without any problem — as long as the foam is secured well against the basement wall and the backfill is placed with reasonable care.
To keep the foam in place before backfilling, contractors generally use a construction adhesive that is compatible with foam board, or mechanical fasteners (or both). Hilti makes a couple of nail-on plastic fasteners that are easy to install in 3/16 holes drilled in the concrete with a hammer drill. One fastener at each corner of the foam board and one in the middle is usually sufficient.
Adding a layer of 6-mil poly may be overkill, but shouldn’t cause any problems. If you are concerned about drainage, a layer of dimpled drainage mat over the foam will provide good drainage down to the footing drains and help protect the rigid foam from damage.
Mike Thompson says
In my application, I used exterior XPS to insulate the basement when constructing our house 40 years ago. We used 2” foam down 6-8 ft. and protected the foam with a parging material from Dow that goes over a mesh. The exterior foam insulation tapers back to a termite shield and the exterior is ground-treated for termites. No problem with damage to the parging as we have a planting area all around the foundation (see photo).
Our house uses passive solar heating. A somewhat unique feature is we use the full basement as a return air plenum with floor vents for a return. I think insulating the exterior and using the whole basement as a return has many benefits:
1. The basement is moderately heated and cooled just utilizing the return air. The basement slab floor, 8 ft. below grade, provides a year round source of 56 degree F energy. This is typically warmer than outside in the winter and cooler than the outside in the summer, so exhibits passive heating and cooling characteristics
2. The heat sink mass of the house is greater, providing a day or two transition to changing outside conditions.
3. The basement walls are easily finished with paint.
4. A termite shield and an inspection gap have been effective.
5. There is no need of a supplemental dehumidifier as the whole house AC unit provides that function.
6. The presence of basement mold is reduced since there are no pockets of cooler surfaces without somewhat year round ventilation.
In short, we have found the combination of the exterior basement insulation and using the full basement as a return plenum effective and efficient.
buildingadvisor says
Interesting use of your basement as thermal mass. There has been a lot of debate about whether keeping the thermal mass inside the basement insulation reduces energy costs. Researchers have determined that, in a conventional homes, it doesn’t matter whether the thermal mass is inside or outside the insulation. Heating and cooling costs are about the same.
One exception is high-mass walls in very sunny climates with large daily temperature swings, like an adobe house in Santa Fe. The mass tends to smooth out the daily temperature swings that would otherwise make the house too hot during the day and too cold at night. In a climate that is consistently cold in the winter, like New England, high-mass walls can make it hard to heat the house after setting back the thermostat.
In a passive-solar home, the extra mass could help in houses with enough glass that the house overheats on sunny days. Most solar designers use a direct-storage solution like ceramic tile on a concrete slab that’s directly heated by sunshine. Getting the heat into and out of mass in a remote location, like the basement walls, is a trickier proposition. Also too much glass in a cloudy climate, can lead to high heat loss and discomfort on cloudy days. Getting the right balance of glass and mass takes expertise in solar design. Sounds like you got it right!
Robert says
Can I Cover Foundation Insulation By Raising the Grade?
My 1980s-era house foundation has several inches of sheet foam exposed at ground level, with aluminum flashing above (see photo). The foam is unsightly. Would it risk termites or other problems to raise up the ground level with soil or river rock so as to cover up the foam? Thanks.
buildingadvisor says
I’m not a big fan of exterior foam insulation on foundations for some of the reasons you mention. Most of the materials used to protect the foam eventually get damaged by lawn mowers, baseballs, or just wear and tear at the ground level.
Also, the foam provides a perfect entry point for subterranean termites, which can tunnel behind or through the foam to reach the wood framing above.
The minimum clearance from grade to any non-treated wood (framing, sheathing, or siding) in the International Residential Code is 6 in. although state codes may differ. I like to see 8 in. There is some debate over whether you can less clearance to paved surfaces such as concrete or asphalt. You can view the detail at this link.
One of the issues is having an inspection area for termite mud tubes leading from the soil to wood framing along the outside of the foundation. With exterior foam in termite regions, this requires that a strip of insulation be removed where it is needed most above grade.
So, yes, you can raise the soil level on the exterior, but should still leave at least 6 inches of exposed foundation. If the aluminum flashing is unsightly, you can consider replacing it with a more durable material.
There is no perfect material for this application. Some contractors prefer a stucco finish applied over hardware cloth or stucco lath to give it greater strength. Stucco finishes applied directly to the foam are not very durable.
Other contractors prefer panel products such as cement board (such as James Hardie HardieBacker) or pressure-treated plywood. These can be finished with a durable stucco finish or exterior paint, depending on the appearance you want. Another durable, but high-cost, option is cultured stone veneer.
Whatever system you use to cover and protect the insulation, you still have a direct conduit for termites to move from the soil to the wood structure. Carpenter ants also like to excavate exterior insulation to create a
So if you are in a termite-prone area, you may want to consider moving the insulation to the interior side of the foundation wall. In any event, you should check first with a termite expert for an effective treatment strategy.
Mark Halls says
Can I Use Foil-Faced Foam on Basement Walls?
I am doing a basement renovation and have already purchased foil-faced EPS (SilverR board) for my continuous insulation barrier against my concrete foundation wall. I will then have 2×4 stud with Ruxol Comfort Batt.
I have read a lot of recommendations against using foil faced rigid board in a basement wall assembly but my question is why? If foil faced EPS is mold resistant and impermeable to moisture, and concrete can stay wet for its life then what is the harm of moisture present between those two materials? Won’t trapped moisture just evaporate over time?
Thanks for your time.
buildingadvisor says
The usual recommendation is for unfaced foam on the interior of a basement wall, sealed at joints and along the top and bottom. This creates an air barrier, keeping interior basement air away from the cool basement well where it may condense, and keeping moisture from the basement wall from entering the basement interior. Concrete is highly permeable to water vapor, so it tends to pass soil moisture into the building.
Foundations are complicated because moisture can move in either direction, depending on the soil conditions, dampproofing or waterproofing on the basement walls, and temperature and humidity of the interior air.
Unfaced EPS foam is fairly permeable to water vapor with a perm rating of 5 for 1 inch and 2.5 for two inches, making it a Class III vapor retarder similar to latex paint on drywall. Extruded polystyrene (XPS) has a perm rating on 1.1 for 1 inch and .55 for two inches making it a Class II vapor retarder similar to kraft paper (for a 2-inch board).
Foil facing, however, makes any foam board virtually impermeable to water vapor like polyethylene. These are considered Class I vapor barriers.
Using an unfaced foam insulation is hedging your bets, allowing for a minimal amount of drying, in either direction, should things get wet for any reason. Using foil faced insulation could potentially trap liquid water between the foam and foundation wall. However, if there is no wood between the foam and the wall, you are correct that there is no harm to the concrete. Maybe the foil facing could delaminate depending on the adhesive used, but no great harm there.
So, bottom line: I wouldn’t worry about installing foil-faced EPS insulation directly against the basement wall the way your describing. However, it would be a good idea to seal the joints between panels and the perimeter of the insulation to keep the interior air basement air isolated from the basement wall.
Donald says
XPS vs. EPS Foam For Foundation Insulation
Which do you recommend if price is not a problem? XPS or EPS?
Separately, my contractor is recommending roxul insulation over foam board? They said roxul is moisture resistant and they use it in every basement remodel.
buildingadvisor says
On the interior, either is fine. XPS provides about R-5 per inch vs. R-4 per inch for EPS, commonly known as beadboard. So you can pack more R-value in a smaller space with XPS.
On the exterior, I would definitely go with XPS, which has a higher compressive strength, less water absorption, and greater durability. Exterior foundation insulation takes a beating during installing, backfilling, and settlement of the soil. Also the portion of the insulation above-grade gets a lot of abuse regardless of the finish used.
Beadboard gets its name from the tiny beads that are fused together and tend to bread apart under stress. XPS holds up better under real-life conditions.
Either material is easily excavated by carpenter ants, however, for warm housing in the winter – one of the reasons I prefer insulating basements on the interior.
Roxul is another option for interior basement insulation. It’s true that it is impervious to moisture and insect damage as is unfaced fiberglass. However either one can trap moisture if there is condensation in the wall cavity or moisture migration from the exterior. Remember, a foundation wall with interior insulation is colder than an uninsulated wall, so condensation is more likely to occur in warm weather.
So I’d stick with a layer of foam against the concrete. Then you can add Roxul or unfaced fiberglass between the studs for extra insulation. Whatever you do, don’t put a poly vapor barrier anywhere in the wall.
Donald says
Given the risk of foamboard and excavation by carpenter ants which I do not want to experience, would another alternative be to go with the roxul comfortboard directly on the basement concrete wall? Given the moisture resistance properties of Roxul comfortboard, there should be a lesser chance of trapping water compared to fiberglass and mold building up.
Happy to hear your thoughts
buildingadvisor says
Yes, you can certainly use Roxul Comfortboard, placed directly on the interior side of the basement wall. Comfortboard’s main use is for exterior insulation, but there’s no reason why it will not work as well on the interior.
I’ve not heard of carpenter ants getting into interior foam on a basement wall, but it is certainly possible, especially in wooded areas or other places with ant problems. If you add a stud wall inside the Comfortboard, you can fill the cavities with unfaced fiberglass, rock wool, or any water-resistant insulation for additional R-value.
Depending on your climate, a 1 to 1.5 in. layer of Roxul Comfortboard (R 4/in), should keep the interior surface of the board warm enough to prevent condensation in warm weather.
The interior surface of the insulation board is the condensation plane for warm, moist air in hot, humid weather.
Marlowe says
Basement Insulation For A Tight Space
Building a basement in Colorado. The space it really compact and I would like to add some rigid foam to help with the cold weather but i don’t want to lose any interior square footage i don’t have to. Can i use 1/2″ rigid foam and some unfaced batts? or is this a terrible idea?
buildingadvisor says
The best way to preserve square footage on the interior is to use exterior insulation. The main problems are that bugs like to burrow in and under the foam, and the portion of the foam above grade needs protection from the elements.
Mineral wool boards such as Roxul Comfortboard is a great option for exterior foundation insulation as it fire-, bug-, and mold-resistant. It has an R-value of R-4 per in. – in between EPS foam and XPS foam, the other main alternatives.
If you’d rather insulate on the interior, and want to save space, why use fiberglass insulation, which only provides about R-2.5 per in.? Foil-faced polyiso board (Polyisocyanurate) will give the highest R-value at about R-6 per inch. In some areas, code allows to leave the foil-facing exposed – not the case with polystyrene, which must be covered by a fire-rated material. However, since you intend to finish the space, this shouldn’t be a problem either way.
I’d recommend two inches of foam board, with vertical or horizontal strapping on the interior as nailers for the interior finish. The 3/4-in. air space will get you a little extra R-value with the foil facing as well.
Avraham says
Should I Put Vapor Barrier on Basement Wall?
I am finishing a basement in Brooklyn, new york. I am confused as to whether I need a vapor barrier, a moisture barrier, or no barrier at all? Also how much insulation is enough, if needed at all? Thank you
Also, can I tile directly to the concrete floor? Is there any way to insulate the floor?
buildingadvisor says
The short answer is no, you generally do not want a vapor barrier on the walls of a finished basement.
The place to control vapor migration is on the exterior of the basement wall, in the form of waterproofing or damproofing.
On the interior, the best insulation to place against the concrete or block is rigid foam without any facing, such as foil or plastic sheeting. This allows for some drying to take place as foam board is somewhat permeable.
The recommended minimum is R-10 for your area, which you can achieve with two inches of extruded polystyrene (such as Dow Blueboard) or 2-1/2 inches of beadboard. Seal all joints with foam sealant to keep moist interior air from reaching the cool concrete wall where water will condense.
If you are placing a stud wall against the foam, it’s cost-effective to add unfaced fiberglass batts between the studs. You can also use flat 1×3 furring instead of studs to save space, but without the added insulation. Finally, you install the drywall and paint with a standard latex paint.
In addition to saving energy, the space will be more comfortable and dryer when insulated and finished.
The goal is to create a wall that is somewhat permeable to water vapor, so drying to the interior can take place when needed. Moisture can collect on the basement wall either from the interior (condensation) or exterior (moisture transmission from the soil). Allowing the moisture to escape helps protect the wall system from mold and moisture damage.
If your basement has any moisture problems, these need to be solved before insulating. Otherwise, you’re asking for trouble by trapping excess moisture inside the wall system.
Read more on Basement Vapor Barriers
Regarding your second question about installing tiles over the concrete slab, there are several ways to do this. You can apply tile directly to a concrete slab with thinset, as long as the slab is level, clean and stable. If the slab is uneven or out of level, you can add a lightweight cement leveling compound to the surface before tiling.
Use a leveling compound approved as a tile substrate. An “isolation membrane” is highly recommended directly under to tile to protect it from any cracking or motion in the underlying concrete slab.
If you want to insulate the floor, you can use 1 to 2 inches of extruded polystyrene, fit between pressure-treated 2×4 sleepers. Screw ¾ inch plywood subflooring to the sleepers, and then screw another layer of plywood underlayment (min. ½ in.) or tile backerboard to the first layer of plywood. If you use two layers of plywood, adding waterproof carpenters glue between the two layers of plywood will provide a very strong and stable tile base.
Offset the joints between the two layers of plywood (or plywood and tile backer) and screw the top layer only to the subflooring, not into the sleepers. Next install your isolation membrane (which can also serve as a waterproof membrane as needed). Finally install the tile with thinset mortar.
I would not recommend the tile work as a DIY job unless you’ve got a fair amount of experience with tile.
Beth says
Insulation & Vapor Barrier Under Basement Floor?
We are in the process of building in Maine. The walls of the foundation were poured last week and they will backfill on Monday, 9/17/18. We plan to insulate the inside walls of the basement with at least the R10 foam board. They put the black tar stuff painted on the outside. We plan to have gutters and they are digging trenches to divert water away from the house that the gutters will work with.
The one thing that our builder has not mentioned is putting any type of foam board in the floor of our basement. Also, you said above, during new construction its important “to place a durable vapor barrier below the slab.” What is recommended?
buildingadvisor says
Because deep-earth temperatures remain pretty constant, at about 50-60ºF, insulating under the basement floor will not save you much money, unless you plan to heat the space and use it as living area. However, insulation under the basement slab will help reduce condensation on the basement floor in warm weather, reducing musty odors and damage to floor finishes. You can read more here on Subslab Insulation.
Whether or not you insulate under the basement slab, a sub-slab vapor barrier is a good idea. It needs to be “durable” to survive the process of placing and finishing the concrete. Special reinforced polyethylene, designed for this application, is available from several manufacturers. Products include Stego Wrap, Perminator, and Viper. In general, sub-slab vapor barriers should be at least 10-mils thick. Read more here on Subslab Vapor Barriers.
The “black tar stuff” they brushed onto the outside of you foundation is called “dampproofing”. This cuts down on water vapor transmission from the soil through the foundation wall into the basement. It is not waterproofing, however. If you are considering finishing areas below grade to use as living space, you should consider a full waterproofing system, if it’s not too late (before they backfill). You can read more here on Basement Waterproofing.
Mike says
Underslab Insulation Down South?
I’m building a house in Burnet, TX, in the Texas Hill coutry. I like the idea of putting 2 inches of foam board under the slab to keep cold from coming up from the ground in winter months. Is this a good idea to thwart thermal bridging to the ground?
buildingadvisor says
Most people in your part of the world do not insulate slabs-on-grade and are not required to by code. Your county is in DOE Climate Zone 3, just over the line from the warmer Climate Zone 2. Slab foundations in the colder Zones 4, 5, and 6 are required to have insulation around the slab perimeter under the IRC. Additional subslab insulation is recommended in those locations.
by energy experts.
In your area, you would get some benefit from slab insulation around the perimeter of the slab where a slab’s heat loss is greatest. Two inches of vertical perimeter insulation will keep the outer portions of the floor warmer in winter, increasing your comfort and modestly reducing heating bills.
You could also add 2 inches of horizontal underslab insulation in your area. This would keep the slab a little warmer in summer, reducing condensation on the cool floor, but also raising the air conditioning load a little, so it is a trade-off. Because the energy benefits are questionable, most people do not install underslab insulation in warm and hot climates.
You can see the energy benefits of these configurations in Table 4.1 from the US DOE Builder’s Foundation Handbook.
In a monolithic slab, the perimeter insulation needs to go on the exterior of the foundation, and will need protection from UV and physical damage (see pic). In a slab with a stem wall, the insulation can go on either the interior or exterior of the stem wall. While it is possible to add horizontal insulation under a monolithic slab, it is tricky to accomplish and not commonly done.
With an insulated slab, you need to consider termite entry. In addition to soil treatment, you may need a termite shield so you don’t provide a hidden entry path behind the foam and into your structure. Requirements vary with state and local codes so check first before proceeding.
For insulation, the most common choice is XPS (extruded polystyrene), but high-density EPS rated for ground contact can also be used. You can expect to lose 30% to 40% of the insulation value over time from water absorption by the insulation. A newer option is Roxul insulation board made from mineral wool. It is a very good option for vertical applications as it is self-draining, and may also be suitable for underslab insulation – but check with your local code official before using it under a slab.
You can view these and many more foundation insualtion details at the new, online version of the DOE Builder’s Foundation Handbook at this link.