BASEMENT INSULATION
Konstruction Group Inc. is a licensed commercial and residential basement insulation contractor serving Toronto and the GTA. Our skilled insulation installers can tackle any projects with ease whether it is a custom new home, or a renovation. You can count on use to make sure your home is up to code.
Basements are commonly composed of concrete or stone, and wood. These materials are considered to be poor insulators, which may explain some of the unexplained rise in your utility bills provided that you hadn’t got the chance yet to insulate your basement. Without a proper basement insulation, your HVAC system may have to work harder and longer to compensate for the heat loss in your basement. This issue will end up costing homeowners a lot of money if left unchecked.
Adding insulation can keep your basement warmer, lower utility bills, and make your home more energy-efficient. If you are building a new custom home, you would be insulating the basement with a minimum of R20 at the same time you would insulate the first and second floor because it is regulated by the Ontario Building Code. Enjoy a peace of mind knowing that we only supply Canadian sourced insulation material from well known and established quality brands.
Types of Basement Insulation
Spray Foam Insulation
As the name suggests, spray foam insulation is sprayed onto the basement concrete walls and rim joists. This insulation method is ideal for insulating hard to reach basement areas. Spray foam also expands and hardens quickly, which is suited for insulating tight spaces around basement pipes and ducts, as well as sealing gaps. At minimum by code, your basement would require 2lb closed cell R20 spray foam in order to be compliant. One inch of 2lb closed cell spray foam yields an R-value of 6.5-7. Therefore, you would need about 3-3.5 inches of foam to achieve R20. This may be a bit more expensive than batt insulation, however vapor barrier would not be required to be installed.
Batt Insulation
Batt insulation is usually used during new home construction because it’s available in in rolls and custom pre-cut panels allowing it to be installed between basement studs and joists without leaving any gaps. The snug fit, along with its excellent insulating properties, help in reducing the amount of energy needed for heating and cooling. At minimum by code, your basement would require R20 batt insulation in order to be compliant. Using R22 or R22 is optional but the cost would be higher for marginal gain. Batt insulation is the cheaper alternative to basement spray foam. The use of Roxul mineral batts or Pink fiberglass in the basement is sometimes optional but it also may depend on the building’s fire code. As usual with all batt insulation, clear vapor barrier poly wrap must be installed on top, caulked and taped.
Before You Start Basement Insulation
This will not so much apply to a new custom home, but more to insulate an existing older basement, we recommend sorting out first any basement dampness, and air infiltration issues. If you don’t know how to proceed in this part, let us help. We can limit the dampness coming through exterior walls by covering the wall from the ground level with Tyvek wrap. We then use a caulking gun to stick the wrap with a cement adhesive. Prime locations where air infiltration occurs are also sealed with an expanding foam sealant.
How Konstruction Group Inc. Does Basement Insulation
The most important step is to determine if your basement is to have continuous or non-continuous insulation by fire code. The next step is to choose to use batt insulation or spray foam, the reasoning could be based on cost or preference but it is up to you. When it comes to insulating an existing basement, the drywall should be completely removed and studs exposed so that we can proceed with installation.
For new custom homes, the best way to insulate the interior side of a basement wall is with foam insulation that is adhered to or sprayed directly on the concrete. We highly recommend using 2lb closed cell spray foam from the ground up to the rim joists to create a seamless air and vapour barrier for your basement. This eliminates both air infiltration and moisture issues. No more basement smells, drafts or chills, and it will also increase the value of your new home.
Need a Basement Insulation Contractor in Toronto and the GTA?
Whether its a custom new build, or a renovation. You can trust Konstruction Group Inc. to get the job done when it comes to home insulation. We will make sure to get everything ready for the drywall stage and we carefully choose the ideal type of insulation suited for your needs.
If you have a basement that needs insulating, don’t hesitate to contact us now for a free estimate.