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phoenix2000

no basement insulation an option?

phoenix2000
15 years ago

Our Township Code Official here in NJ has said that if we put XPS on the walls, we'd have to use furring strips b/c there can be no space between the XPS and the drywall for fire safety (Doesn't furring strips provide a space though?)

I don't want to use furring strips b/c of the easier install of electrical wiring.

The Township won't accept XPS within the frame.

If I build a standard 2x4 frame, he said I would have to use kraft-faced insulation in order to have a vapor barrier (I can't use the XPS in this situation)

I have an interior perimeter drain system with 2 sump pumps and back-up. We're planning to put in a subfloor of XPS and OSB (Barricade) and then carpet over this. We've relandscaped and all gutter spout have been extended away from house. There has been no smells in our basement and no mold problems. We have humidifiers running down there that hose right into the sump pumps.

I'm not required to have insulation b/c I have a gas furnace that is >90% efficiency. Since insulation absorbs so much moisture, I'm contemplating not putting in any insulation in the walls at all and talk to my HVAC guy about the appropriate ventilation requirements.

Any advice on this proposed plan? Anything I'm missing? Will we be paying a fortune in heating bills?

Comments (9)

  • worthy
    15 years ago

    The furring strips on Dow Wallmate secure the XPS to the wall while providing a convenient point of attachment for the drywall. There is no space between the drywall and foam. For video, scroll down to "interior basement and crawlspace."

    I've never read about not allowing space between foam insulation and fireproofing. And disallowing foamboard between the studs really takes the cake for irrationality!

    Heat loss from uninsulated basement walls can account for up to one-third of total heating costs, so I would definitely not go naked, so to speak.

    Here is a link that might be useful: Basement Insulation Systems

  • mmccarty
    15 years ago

    A high efficiency furnace doesn't do much good if your house is low efficiency otherwise. You might as well just open a window. The best practice seems to be to glue foam to the walls and seal and tape all joints to create an air barrier. Then frame walls in front to run your plumbing and electrical in and hang your drywall on. This has become the preferred method for insulating basements. Ask the inspector to show you the code citation. Some make poor interpretations of the code, some are just incompetent. More than likely your guy is just misunderstanding something in the code language. Show him this article and the details in fig. 15: http://www.eere.energy.gov/buildings/building_america/pdfs/db/35017.pdf

  • phoenix2000
    Original Author
    15 years ago

    Thanks worthy and nmccarty for your comments. I'm familiar with Wallmate but did not want to use furring strips.

    I think they are taking the fire code requirement of covering insulation with something fire-resistant such as drywall very literally as "covering right on the XPS". I'll see if they'll at least let me put it in between studs - otherwise, how is this acceptable for fiberglass insulation?

    I have a feeling it will be difficult to convince them of the preferred way - my township is notorious for being difficult. And I've talked to more than a dozen contractors who did not know anything about applying XPS to basement walls as a preferred practice, so this information is just slow to get out.

    I'll let you know what I end up with.

  • mmccarty
    15 years ago

    In my opinion, putting XPS between the studs defeats the whole purpose of using it. By putting it directly on the concrete behind a stud wall it creates an air barrier that prevents any humid interior air from condensing on the cool concrete. It also separates the wood from the concrete thus preventing it from wicking moisture from the walls and reducing the risk of mold. By putting it between the studs you create a lot of extra work in taping everything together to create the air barrier and you are not keeping the wood off the walls.

  • worthy
    15 years ago

    In my opinion, putting XPS between the studs defeats the whole purpose of using it. Agreed.

    If quiet respectful discussions with your Code officials, as mmccarty suggests, is still fruitless, you could consider using Membrain, a vapour retarder that changes permeability depending on conditions.

    Here is a link that might be useful: Membrain

  • worthy
    13 years ago

    putting XPS between the studs defeats the whole purpose of using it.

    In addition to XPS or closed cell spray foam on the foundation walls, it is quite effective.

    Here is a link that might be useful: Membrain

  • velvetfoot
    13 years ago

    A router makes nice grooves in XPS.
    Probably not what you want to do, but I put on one 2" layer of XPS with firring strips, put some grooves for wires, and then I glued on another 2" layer of XPS with grooves I put in with a dado blade to cover the firring strips. Haven't found time to put drywall over it yet. It's amazing how solid it is: you can bounce into it with no worries.

  • andrelaplume2
    13 years ago

    HD here in PA sells slotted 1.5" XPS. They are 2 x 8 sheets slotted so that when two panels are put together, the slot is the perfect size for a fur strip. You may then frame in front of this of adhere your drywall right to the fur strips...that make for some difficulty with outlets though but I used this method for in my closets.

  • sweebs
    13 years ago

    Whatever insulation is employed, the inspector is going to ensure that the fire blocking requirement is met and that there are no 'chimneys' or cavities within the wall system which could funnel smoke & fire upwards. I haven't had any problems in 17 finished basement projects with traditional 2x4 framing with kraft faced fiberglass insulation. Absolutely no to unfaced fiberglass with polyethylene vapor barrier (ala - most new home builders) which as we know, traps moisture. The kraft faced batts allow controlled moisture diffusion, don't trap moisture and are an economical solution. I would not build a basement wall without framing - need space for electrical, plumbing, low voltage wiring, etc.