What Insulation Can You Use to Finish a Basement?
Hello, everybody. Caleb Dansie here with Dansie Design Build. Today, I want to update you on our Herriman basement project. We completed the insulation and are now ready to install drywall, which begins today. The type of insulation in use can help your home feel more comfortable regarding sound and noise transmission as well as temperature efficiency in the basement.
Three Types of Insulation
I’m here in the entryway to the basement and you can see three different types of insulation that we’re using. The first type are these pink fiberglass batts. These batts are commonly pink but also come in white and tan. The different color batts all have the same composition and effect. They are good for heat and sound as well, however, we are using a better option for sound. This is called Rockwool. Rockwool is fireproof and great for sound dampening. This wall will be a tenant wall, which is why we’re utilizing insulation that dampens sound well. The third type of insulation that we’re using is in the ceiling. This is a blown-in cellulose that also dampens sound well. To install blown-in cellulose, we stapled up a mesh fabric onto the ceiling to every joist. Our insulators then cut holes in the mesh and used a machine to blow in the insulation, which stuffs the joist cavity full.
What is Blown-In Cellulose Insulation?
Blown-in cellulose is basically a recycled, shredded newspaper. If you happen to be allergic to ink or have any allergies toward newspapers or paper products, then this would not be a good option. Rockwool or other insulation products can be used too. Every wall in this basement has been insulated and it’s going to create a nice quiet and comfortable space. The sound and temperature controls should manage this basement well whether somebody wants to comfortably sleep in the bedroom while the living room can host a party or have kids playing. The rockwool insulation in this wall is great at mitigating sound transfer through the wall.
Critical Insulation Point
We’ve also insulated the bathroom and this cold storage room, which has been extended. Just like the other rooms, we insulated the walls and blew-in the ceiling. Basements do not lose much thermal energy, therefore wall insulation is not super critical, however, there is one important area up in the ceiling to consider. This area is called the rim board which makes up the exterior wall of the house. The rim is a small section that starts at the foundation and ends where the first floor begins. That area is critical to insulate before we finish the basement.
If you do not plan to install any insulation in your basement beyond what’s required by minimum code, it’s important to double check and make sure that every one of these cells against the foundation wall is covered very well. That will avoid any cold air from having easy access to enter the home throughout this entire cavity.
Does Your Basement in Herriman, Utah Need Finished?
If you’re looking to renovate your basement here in the Herriman area in South Salt Lake, give us a call. We’d love to chat with you about how we can help you renovate your basement and consider any finishes that you’d like to install. Thanks
