I live in a split level house with a finished basement that I moved
into back in July. This is our first winter and I noticed it was cold
in the basement and after further investigating discovered that there
was no insulation behind the wood panel walls. So I am in the process
of removing the wood panels, which is fairly easy, and putting
insulation inside the walls between the studs and on the sill plates
between the ceiling joists. I have a storage closet that has no
finished wall inside, it is just the foundation slab. How should I
insulate this? I was thinking of using those styrofoam insulation
boards and glueing them to the foundation. Also my furnace room has
exposed foundation walls. I know I'm not suppose to put anything
flammable near the furnace so is it better off just leaving the
foundation exposed?

"Mikepier" wrote in message
oups.com...
I have a storage closet that has no
finished wall inside, it is just the foundation slab. How should I
insulate this? I was thinking of using those styrofoam insulation
boards and glueing them to the foundation. Also my furnace room has
exposed foundation walls. I know I'm not suppose to put anything
flammable near the furnace so is it better off just leaving the
foundation exposed?

The foam will work. Yes, it will save you some $ in the long run.

As for the furnace room, you must have some clearance from the heater.
Check the manual for that. It cold be anywhere from 12" to 36". You can
use foam insulation, but it must be covered with sheetrock to meet code.

Is basement below grade, if it is are you sure no moisture gets in
through the walls , if it does mold will grow. You can put in vents if
you have forced air and are sure it can take the extra load. Moisture
is a first concern

Mikepier wrote:
I live in a split level house with a finished basement that I moved
into back in July. This is our first winter and I noticed it was cold
in the basement and after further investigating discovered that there
was no insulation behind the wood panel walls. So I am in the process
of removing the wood panels, which is fairly easy, and putting
insulation inside the walls between the studs and on the sill plates
between the ceiling joists.

Pay special attention to the top half as most of the heat loss will be
there, the bottom half is far enough underground that you will not loose
much heat there, the walls will be warmer.

I have a storage closet that has no
finished wall inside, it is just the foundation slab. How should I
insulate this? I was thinking of using those styrofoam insulation
boards and glueing them to the foundation.

Make sure the insulation is certified for exposed use. It is a safety
issue. Most Styrofoam is highly poisonous when it burns. It must be
covered with drywall for your protection and likely local fire code.

Also my furnace room has
exposed foundation walls. I know I'm not suppose to put anything
flammable near the furnace so is it better off just leaving the
foundation exposed?

As noted there will be specifications for the furnace. Be sure to
follow them and be extra careful with any foam insulation.

You may need to have someone take a look at the heat distribution (duct)
system and your heating capacity before you have this all corrected. My
guess is the heating equipment was not designed to heat the basement to
living standards, or if it was,. it was poorly done. Only an on site
inspection and some measurements can tell for sure.

--
Joseph Meehan

26 + 6 = 1 It's Irish Math

"Joseph Meehan" wrote in message

Make sure the insulation is certified for exposed use. It is a safety
issue. Most Styrofoam is highly poisonous when it burns. It must be
covered with drywall for your protection and likely local fire code.


No, it is NOT poisonous. It gives off a lot of soot, along with carbon
dioxide and water. While it is not good to inhale soot, there are not toxic
fumes with either Styrofoam (Dow Chemicals trademark for extruded
polystyrene board) or expanded polystyrene board. Other isocyanate foams
may or may not; I'm not familiar with them.

The foam materials approved for insulation are modified so they do not burn
on their own, only when there is another source of ignition. To test this,
break off a piece take it outside, then burn it by holding a lighter or
torch to it. remove the flame and it will go out in a few seconds. (this
is not true of most packaging grade foams)

It must be covered with drywall to meet code thought.

I know you have good intentions, but be sure to check the facts of
insulating foams. There are huge differences in how they react and I'm sure
you want to be accurate.

When you say "covered with drywall" does that include wood panelling, or
does it specifically need drywall? I have a similar project like this on
the back burner.

It has to have a fire rated covering, wood paneling does not do this.

!/2 inch plasterboard or similar material meets the requirement for
residential usage

Rich

"Buck Turgidson" wrote in message
...
When you say "covered with drywall" does that include wood panelling, or
does it specifically need drywall? I have a similar project like this on
the back burner.

Buck Turgidson wrote:
When you say "covered with drywall" does that include wood panelling,
or does it specifically need drywall? I have a similar project like
this on the back burner.

Must be drywall. Drywall is very fire retardant, wood paneling is not.

--
Joseph Meehan

26 + 6 = 1 It's Irish Math

"Mikepier" wrote in message
oups.com...
I live in a split level house with a finished basement that I moved
into back in July. This is our first winter and I noticed it was cold
in the basement and after further investigating discovered that there
was no insulation behind the wood panel walls. So I am in the process
of removing the wood panels, which is fairly easy, and putting
insulation inside the walls between the studs and on the sill plates
between the ceiling joists.

Don't forget to caulk the gap between the sill plate and foundation wall. It
is a major source of infiltration

I believe those foam panels are very flamable and code requires that they
be covered and not left exposed.


"Mikepier" wrote in message
oups.com...
I live in a split level house with a finished basement that I moved
into back in July. This is our first winter and I noticed it was cold
in the basement and after further investigating discovered that there
was no insulation behind the wood panel walls. So I am in the process
of removing the wood panels, which is fairly easy, and putting
insulation inside the walls between the studs and on the sill plates
between the ceiling joists. I have a storage closet that has no
finished wall inside, it is just the foundation slab. How should I
insulate this? I was thinking of using those styrofoam insulation
boards and glueing them to the foundation. Also my furnace room has
exposed foundation walls. I know I'm not suppose to put anything
flammable near the furnace so is it better off just leaving the
foundation exposed?

"Art" wrote in message
nk.net...
I believe those foam panels are very flamable and code requires that they
be covered and not left exposed.



You believe wrong. Yes, they must be covered for code, but they will not
burn unless thee is another source of ignition. Much less likely to burn
that paper, cardboard, vinyl paneling, etc. Please see my other post on
this.

"Edwin Pawlowski" wrote in message
news

"Art" wrote in message
nk.net...
I believe those foam panels are very flamable and code requires that they
be covered and not left exposed.



You believe wrong. Yes, they must be covered for code, but they will not
burn unless thee is another source of ignition

Obviously.... I was not suggesting spontaneous combustion.

Ed I just took outside a piece of blue foamboard, its 15f outside and
with my liitle Bic lighter it burnt and stank like polyurethane. Id say
it is more dangerous then you realise

"m Ransley" wrote in message
...
Ed I just took outside a piece of blue foamboard, its 15f outside and
with my liitle Bic lighter it burnt and stank like polyurethane. Id say
it is more dangerous then you realise


Stink does not equate to toxicity. The flame went out too didn't it?

While you would not want to breath in soot, it is not the same as breathing
in poisonous gasses. Too much of your own farts could smother you, but in
moderation, they only stink.

No Ed it burnt till it was gone. It is a petroleum byproduct , I dought
you can give proof breathing it`s fumes while burning is safe, nor would
you do it.