| even if you frame tight, won't you still get an air gap in a traditional framing scenario Extruded polystyrene attached to foundation wall followed by wood framing. Fibrous insulation can be added between the studs. It does not have to be covered with a vapour barrier unless Code-required.
Yes, here and there behind the studs on a poured wall. But with a layer of foam board on the wall already, you've eliminated the bridging and will not have condensation on the foundation wall. I insulate afterwards with fibrous insulation between the studs. Warm side vapour barrier inhibits the moisture flow in the winter, but the reverse flow in the summer in the above grade portion of the basement leaves moisture trapped in the insulation, feeding mould.
(There are a couple of alternatives I should mention: 1. directly spraying the wall with high or medium density polyurethane foam that can be supplemented with fibrous insulation between the studs; 2. fibrous insulation with a "smart" vapour retarder. Membrain is the only one I know of at the moment and it has been independently tested below grade in a cold climate.) Remember the Rim.
climate may have something to do with different insulating approaches. Yes. But not in this case. It's simply ignorance of modern building science--which is already at least 20-years old. The huge gap between insulation and foundation wall supports convective currents, thus reducing the effectiveness of the insulation. However, the spacing allows condensation on the walls--and the moisture naturally coming through the walls--to dissipate in the space rather than directly moistening the fibre glass. At least, that's the hope. All photos from Building Science Corp. |