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mystiky

What kind of insulation to use for my basement?

mystiky
10 years ago

Our newly rebuilt basement is taking shape and soon we will start closing it with sheetrock, meaning that we have to decide on insulation.

The house is all-brick from 1930's here in Brooklyn, NY. It has all new sewers and I have never seen any water in the basement during the few years we have owned the house. The basement goes about 5 feet underground (measured from the inside) The only heating / air conditioning in the basement will be provided by a 9,000 BTU LG HVAC system airhead. I plan to install a portable humidifier that will be periodically on. Summers here are very humid and winters are dry.

A few suggestions were made to me about which type of insulation to use, so I would like to hear some feedback on each method:

1) Using the spray-on foam. But which one? I hear that if it's not done properly, it could create a bad moisture situation
2) Using the standard R-11 that is sold in Home Depot / Lowes
3) Using Roxul's product Comfortbatt (R15/16 or R23):
http://www.roxul.com/products/residential/roxul+comfortbatt

Also: Will I need a vapor barrier in general?

Any and all opinions are much appreciated!

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